‘Life-Threatening Damage’: Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Cuba After Battering Jamaica
2025 年 10 月 29 日
Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Cuba After Devastating Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, following its destructive path across the Caribbean as a Category 5 hurricane that pounded Jamaica.
Widespread damage has been reported in Jamaica as Melissa slammed ashore near the town of New Hope, destroying homes and businesses. Evan Thompson, Principal Director at Meteorological Service, Jamaica, issued a stern warning ahead of the storm: “It will cause catastrophic damage, life-threatening damage. There is very little that can stop a Category Five hurricane.”
Powerful winds and fallen trees mark the trail of destruction, accompanied by life-threatening flooding across the island. Roads have become impassable as storm surges of up to 13 feet inundate coastal areas. The parish of St. Elizabeth is reportedly underwater, and over half a million residents are currently without power.
Four main hospitals suffered damage, with one losing power entirely, forcing the evacuation of 75 patients. In response to the crisis, the Prime Minister of Jamaica declared the entire island a disaster area.
Personal Stories Amid the Storm
Shantelle Nova was preparing for her dream wedding in Jamaica when the storm struck, flooding the venue and destroying their plans. “Windows are broken, a lot of water is coming in, so we’re just basically pushing towels and stuff at the doors,” Nova shared. “And the level of noise is ridiculous. Trees have really bent over and flew away, and some of our roof is completely off.”
Impact in Cuba
In Cuba, severe flooding inundated streets in Santiago de Cuba as the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds prior to making landfall. Areas were forecasted to receive up to 20 inches of rain, along with significant storm surge along the coast.
Approximately 500,000 people were evacuated from regions vulnerable to damaging winds and flooding as Melissa moved across the Caribbean.
Relief Efforts Underway
CBN’s Operation Blessing is actively preparing to assist victims of Hurricane Melissa. The team is packing disaster relief supplies, including water, food, solar lamps, hygiene kits, chlorinators, and water purification units to ensure access to clean drinking water.
Diego Traverso, Senior Director for Operation Blessing’s Global Disaster Response Team, shared on CBN’s Faith Nation, “We don’t know how catastrophic this is going to be, if the water is going to recede, if the airports are going to be open and when they’re going to be open. So, at this point, we are just getting ready as close as we can to the island and praying for favor so we can either ride on an airplane, private one or commercial.”
Traverso emphasized the critical need for clean water, saying, “Water is going to be critical; the different ways for them to get water is going to get polluted. Pray for the people of Jamaica. Pray for the team of Operation Blessing.”
Operation Blessing is also preparing pallets of food and essential hygiene items to support affected families in the region.
Looking Ahead
Hurricane Melissa is forecasted to move into the Bahamas later Wednesday. Jamaican officials aim to reopen the island’s airports by Thursday.
President Trump has indicated that the U.S. is prepared to send assistance as needed to support recovery efforts.