Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Hurricane Melissa Death Toll Reaches Nearly 50 as Islands Devastated
A very strong hurricane named Melissa has caused a lot of damage and sadness in the Caribbean islands.
It hit Jamaica with extreme winds, making it one of the most powerful storms ever to land there.
Sadly, many people have lost their lives.
In Haiti, heavy rain from the storm caused big floods, leading to many deaths and people still missing.
Cuba also suffered damage to homes and farms, with many people needing to leave their houses.
The storm is now moving away from these islands towards Bermuda.
Scientists think that climate change might have made this hurricane much stronger.
Hurricane Melissa has resulted in a confirmed death toll of nearly 50 across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba.
Jamaica experienced its strongest-ever storm landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, tying a 1935 record, with at least 19 deaths.
Haiti reported at least 30 deaths and 20 missing due to catastrophic flooding from heavy rains.
Cuba evacuated over 735,000 people, suffering substantial damage to homes and crops but no reported deaths.
The storm, now a Category 2, is moving northeast past Bermuda, with increased likelihood attributed to climate change.
- Who
- Hurricane Melissa, residents and officials of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, US National Hurricane Center, Imperial College London researchers, US State Department, UN resident coordinator, UK government.
- What
- Hurricane Melissa caused widespread devastation and a death toll of nearly 50 people across the northern Caribbean. It made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, tying a record for intensity, and is now a Category 2 moving northeast past Bermuda. Human-caused climate change may have made the storm four times more likely.
- When
- Made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. By Thursday, October 30, 2025, the death toll reached nearly 50 and the storm was a Category 2 near Bermuda.
- Where
- Northern Caribbean, impacting Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. The storm passed through the Bahamas and is now moving northeast past Bermuda.
- Why
- Powerful hurricane winds and torrential rainfall from Hurricane Melissa led to catastrophic flooding, significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture. Climate change may have intensified the storm.
United States
Cuba
Aid Offer and Coordination
United States
The U.S. Secretary of State stated the U.S. was prepared to offer 'immediate humanitarian aid' to Cuba. The U.S. has also mobilized disaster assistance response teams on the ground in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, with teams en route to Haiti.
Cuba
Cuban officials stated that approximately 735,000 people had been evacuated from eastern provinces, with significant damage to homes and crops reported, though no deaths were officially confirmed.
- Affected Regions
- Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Bermuda
- Storm Intensity at Jamaica Landfall
- Category 5 (tied 1935 record)
- Current Storm Status
- Category 2, moving northeast past Bermuda
- Reported Deaths
- 49 total (at least 19 in Jamaica, at least 30 in Haiti, 20 missing in Haiti)
- Evacuations
- 735,000 in eastern Cuba
- Infrastructure Impact
- Widespread power outages, blocked roads, damaged homes, farms, collapsed buildings, downed power lines, smashed windows, torn roofs and tree branches, limited communications and transportation access.
- Estimated Economic Loss
- Not specified in this article
Sources
US offers humanitarian aid to Cuba after hurricane
Hurricane Melissa barrels through Caribbean, accelerates towards Bermuda
Hurricane Melissa devastates Caribbean, picks up speed toward Bermuda
Jamaica reports 19 deaths from Hurricane Melissa, total death toll climbs to 44
Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba Pick Up the Pieces After Melissa's Destruction
Hurricane Melissa’s death toll climbs to 44, storm churns north
Caribbean reels from Hurricane Melissa’s destruction as death toll rises
Life after 'Storm of the Century': Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba scan what's left as Melissa retreats
Hurricane Melissa leaves 49 dead in Caribbean, churns north
Hurricane Melissa update: Death toll rises to 49 as ferocious storm wreaks havoc in Caribbean nations
