Massive evacuations are underway as Hurricane Melissa continues to cause chaos and destruction in its path. The hurricane, previously a Category 5 storm, has now weakened to a Category 2 as it moves across Cuba. The US National Hurricane Centre reported that it had pummeled Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Hundreds of thousands of individuals in Cuba have been relocated to shelters as a precautionary measure. Several provinces in Cuba and the Bahamas remain under a hurricane warning.
In Haiti, the town of Petit-Goâve faced severe flooding, resulting in 25 fatalities and numerous collapsed homes. The mayor expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that many individuals are still trapped under debris. Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 105mph, is currently positioned near Guantanamo, Cuba, and is moving towards the central Bahamas.
The National Hurricane Centre has issued warnings for the Bahamas, urging swift storm preparations as Melissa heads towards the region. Turks and Caicos are also at risk of life-threatening storm surges. Meanwhile, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are bracing for flash floods and landslides. Bermuda is expected to face hurricanes and heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Following its impact on Jamaica and Cuba, the UK is providing £2.5 million in humanitarian aid to Jamaica for emergency relief efforts. The Royal Navy has dispatched HMS Trent to assist in the Caribbean, and a specialized team from the Foreign Office is aiding British nationals in Miami. Approximately 8,000 UK citizens are believed to be in Jamaica, with all airports currently closed. The Foreign Office anticipates extensive damage to infrastructure and power outages across the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.