Hurricane Melissa is passing to the northwest of Bermuda on Thursday night after killing at least 40 people in the Caribbean.
Bermuda is under a Hurricane Warning as the Category 2 storm passes nearby. Tropical storm conditions are now spreading over Bermuda, with hurricane conditions expected later in the evening, the National Hurricane Center said at 11 p.m. on Thursday.
The storm’s winds are currently at 100 mph, and it’s expected to weaken on Thursday night, according to the National Hurricane Center. It’s then expected to become a post-tropical low by Friday night.
Hurricane Melissa’s death toll has continued to rise as authorities survey the damage from the record-breaking storm.
Authorities in Haiti said at least 30 people, including children, have been killed, according to the Associated Press. At least 19 deaths have also been reported in Jamaica. No casualties have been reported in Cuba, but the island has suffered widespread destruction.
The storm was the Caribbean’s third-most intense hurricane on record, as well as its slowest-moving, which made for even greater devastation from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti.
The U.S. said it would deploy disaster response teams to the Caribbean to help those affected by Melissa.
Key Points
- Hurricane Melissa's death toll rises
- Hurricane Melissa heads toward Bermuda, fueling downpours in northeast U.S.
- UK charters flights to help British nationals leave Jamaica
- Watch: Satellite imagery shows Jamaica before and after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa
- US prepared to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba
Emergency relief flights land in Jamaica
04:14 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarEmergency relief flights are landing at Jamaica's main international airport as crews distributed water, medicine and other basic supplies.
Helicopters dropped food as they thrummed above communities where the storm flattened homes, wiped out roads and destroyed bridges, cutting them off from assistance.
Government workers and residents began clearing roads in a push to reach dozens of isolated communities in the island's southeast that sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.
"The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened," Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon said.
‘A dire situation unfolding in slow motion’: Why Hurricane Melissa has been so devastating
03:00 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa has cut a path of destruction through the Caribbean this week, hitting Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas with winds of up to 185 mph.
Why has this storm been so devastating?
Keep reading:
‘A dire situation in slow motion’: Why Hurricane Melissa has been so devastating
Tropical storm conditions reported in Bermuda
02:38 , Katie HawkinsonTropical storm conditions are occurring now in Bermuda, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The island is also under a Hurricane Warning.
“On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda tonight and pass south of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland as a post-tropical cyclone on Friday night,” the National Hurricane Center said.
Hurricane Melissa now a Category 2 storm
02:16 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa is now a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds as it passes to the northwest of Bermuda.
The storm is expected to weaken later tonight and on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. It’s forecasted to then become a post-tropical low by Friday night.
Death toll rises as Hurricane Melissa thrashes Bermuda
02:02 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa’s death toll is rising as authorities assess the damage from the storm.
At least 30 people were killed in Haiti, and at least 19 deaths have been reported in Jamaica, the Associated Press reports.
Pictures show devastation in Cuba and Haiti
01:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Watch: Drone footage shows scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction on Jamaican fishing village
00:30 , Katie HawkinsonNew drone footage has revealed the scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction in a Jamaican fishing village.
National Hurricane Center shares latest update on Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 23:57 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa is moving rapidly northeast with 105 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. update on Thursday.
A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for Bermuda.
“On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda tonight and pass south of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night,” the agency said.
Hurricane Melissa is expected to weaken later Thursday night and Friday. It’s then expected to become a post-tropical low by Friday night.
Jamaican rapper raises money for Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts
Thursday 30 October 2025 23:42 , Katie HawkinsonRapper Sean Paul, best known for his hits “Get Busy” and “Temperature,” shared a post on Instagram asking his followers to donate to a Hurricane Melissa relief fund.
“Right now, my island of Jamaica is going through a really tough time,” Paul wrote. “Hurricane Melissa has caused serious damage, and many of our brothers and sisters are struggling — families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in need of help.”
Paul said he will match every donation, up to $50,000.
“Through the Sean Paul Foundation, we’ve partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to bring relief directly to those affected,” he continued. “I’m asking all my fans, friends, and supporters worldwide, if you can, please give what you can. Every donation counts, no matter how small. Together, we can make a big difference.”
Canada offers $7 million in humanitarian aid for Caribbean states impacted by Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 23:00 , Isabel KeaneThe Canadian Parliament member overseeing foreign aid announced the country would provide $7 million in humanitarian aid to Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, said $5 million would go to emergency response, while $2 million would go to the United Nations World Food Program, CBC reported.
Canada is also prepared to deploy relief supplies from its emergency stockpile through the Red Cross, if requested by countries, Sarai added.
Tourists stuck in Jamaica all accounted for
Thursday 30 October 2025 22:30 , Isabel KeaneAll 25,000 international tourists visiting Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday, devastating the island, have been accounted for.
These visitors should be able to leave the island nation within a matter of days, according to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister.
The announcement comes as the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston reopened for commercial flights Thursday morning.
U.S. officials warn Americans against falling for scams after hurricane
Thursday 30 October 2025 22:00 , Isabel KeaneThe U.S. Better Business Bureau has issued warnings about scams targeting residents and donors in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“Scanners often exploit the chaos and emotions surrounding natural disasters to steal money or personal information,” the agency said.
The agency is warning people to be careful of fake charities, AI-generated scams and crowdfunding scams.
More than 700,000 children across Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa: UNICEF
Thursday 30 October 2025 21:30 , Isabel KeaneOver 700,000 children across the Caribbean have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to UNICEF.
The storm, which hit Jamaica and Cuba directly and impacted Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has completely uprooted the lives of thousands of children.
“In the wake of relentless floods across the Caribbean, hundreds of thousands of children have seen their lives upended suddenly,” said Roberto Benes, the agency’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Children urgently need food, safe drinking water and sanitation, access to health and nutrition services and a path back to education.”
More than 13,000 people in shelters in Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 21:00 , Isabel KeaneOver 13,000 people remained crowded in shelters in Jamaica on Thursday, as over 70 percent of the island was without power and only 35 percent of mobile phone sites in operation.
“We understand the frustration, we understand your anxiety, but we ask for your patience,” said Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s telecommunications and energy minister.
Water trucks have been mobilized to serve some of Jamaica’s rural communities that are not connected to the government’s utility system, Water Minister Matthew Samuda said.
With reporting by the Associated Press.
Jamaican woman hasn't heard from brother since Monday
Thursday 30 October 2025 20:30 , Isabel KeaneKimberly Dunkley Watkins says she hasn’t heard from her little brother since Monday, as over 70 percent of Jamaica remains without power.
“It’s probably one of the worst experiences of my life and I lived through Hurricane Gilbert,” she told NBC News. “So, it’s rough.”
Watkins was returning to Jamaica from Miami after being unable to go home after a work trip in the Bahamas.
She told the outlet her two young children and husband endured the storm from their home in Kingston, Jamaica.
Conditions in Bermuda to 'rapidly deteriorate' as Hurricane Melissa passes
Thursday 30 October 2025 20:00 , Isabel KeaneThe National Hurricane Center forecasted that weather conditions in Bermuda would “rapidly deteriorate” Thursday afternoon into the evening as Hurricane Melissa passes by to the northwest of the island.
The Category 2 storm is expected to maintain that strength as it moves past the island.
The hurricane center said sustained winds “remain near 105 mph with higher gusts” and that “little change in strength is expected.”
Public urged to be wary of crocodiles after flooding in Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 19:31 , Isabel KeaneOfficials are urging residents in Jamaica to exercise extreme caution in areas near swamps, as flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa has likely displaced crocodiles.
The National Environment and Planning Agency said the heavy rain caused by the hurricane has likely pushed the potentially dangerous reptiles out of their original habitats, according to the Jamaica Observer.
People are also cautioned against feeding the animal or attempting to capture them.
Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs says he has been in contact with U.S. State Department
Thursday 30 October 2025 19:00 , Isabel KeaneCuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossio, wrote on X that they had been in contact with the Trump administration about receiving aid.
He wrote on X in Spanish, “Following public communications today regarding the damages from the hurricane, we have been in contact with the State Department and are awaiting clarification on how and in what way they are willing to assist.”
No reports of death or injuries in Bahamas
Thursday 30 October 2025 18:33 , Isabel KeaneThere were no initial reports of deaths or injuries in the Bahamas following Hurricane Melissa, which passed over the islands on Wednesday as a Category 1 storm.
Residents were evacuated to the capital, Nassau, ahead of the storm.
However, Melissa tracked over the central Bahamian islands, which were not evacuated.
Part of West Jamaica 'flattened' by storm
Thursday 30 October 2025 18:00 , Isabel KeaneWest Jamaica was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa, with some areas “flattened,” Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, said during a Thursday news briefing.
“I think the entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened,” she said, according to the New York Times. “But we remain resilient.”
The military was working on cutting through blocked roads to reach Black River and other decimated communities, Dixon said.
Over 130 roads were blocked by debris Thursday morning, according to Robert Morgan, Jamaica’s minister in charge of infrastructure. Military leaders were prioritizing clearing roads leading to hospitals, airports and other key infrastructure.
Officials were using helicopters to respond to reports of any bodies found.
Residents wade through flooded streets in Haiti
Thursday 30 October 2025 17:30 , Isabel Keane
Britons fear for loved ones in devastated Jamaica in wake of Hurricane Melissa: ‘We’ve never seen anything like this’
Thursday 30 October 2025 17:00 , Isabel KeaneBritons have spoken of their fears for relatives in Jamaica after the “storm of the century” barrelled through the Caribbean island, leaving a trail of flood and destruction.
Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest-ever hurricane to directly hit its shores, with sustained winds of 185 mph. The category 5 storm battered hospitals, tore through an airport and swamped whole towns underwater, even unleashing the threat of displaced crocodiles.
The death toll climbed on Thursday with four fatalities confirmed as people dug from the rubble in the wake of the storm’s devastation. As the storm ploughed through the northern Caribbean on Wednesday and Thursday, a further 25 people were confirmed dead in Haiti.
More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77 per cent of the island without power. Tens of thousands of tourists remain stranded, including 8,000 Britons.
Bermuda to close schools and ferries ahead of storm's impact
Thursday 30 October 2025 16:30 , Isabel KeaneBermuda will close its sole airport Thursday night as well as all schools and ferries on Friday “out of an abundance of caution,” National Security Minister Michael Weeks said.
“I implore all residents to remain vigilant while we navigate another natural threat to our way of life,” he said in a statement.
Residents are also urged to stay off the roads until further notice.
Melissa was barreling toward Bermuda Thursday morning after leaving a trail of destruction from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti in its wake.
On board with the ‘Hurricane Hunters’ flying into the eye of a 185mph storm
Thursday 30 October 2025 16:00 , Isabel KeaneIncredible footage from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s "Hurricane Hunters" flying straight into the eye of Hurricane Melissa, with turbulence rocking the aircraft.
The crew on board NOAA's WP-3D Orion flew out to collect critical data that helps improve forecasts and research.
Hurricane Melissa began as a category 5 storm as it made landfall in Jamaica and weakened to Category 1 as it moved across the Bahamas. It is expected to pass near Bermuda.
Hurricane warning in effect as Melissa approaches Bermuda
Thursday 30 October 2025 15:17 , Isabel KeaneHurricane Melissa was about 515 miles southwest of Bermuda by 11 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The storm was churning northeast at 24mph, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and even higher gusts.
Melissa is expected to continue moving northeast over the next few days, according to the NHC.
The center of Melissa is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda later Thursday evening.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Bermuda.
Hurricane Melissa heads toward Bermuda, fueling downpours in northeast U.S.
Thursday 30 October 2025 15:08 , Isabel KeaneTropical moisture from Hurricane Melissa could bring some severe weather to the northeastern U.S., according to a report.
The Category 2 storm, headed toward Bermuda early Thursday, will likely bring downpours, strong to severe thunderstorms, and powerful winds to areas spanning from Washington, D.C., to Boston, according to the Washington Post.
Melissa was about 600 miles southwest of Bermuda with wind speeds of 105 mph, moving northeast at 21mph on Thursday.
It made landfall in the Bahamas on Wednesday evening as a Category 1 hurricane.
While the storm is tracking away from the Caribbean, its impacts are expected to last throughout the week.
Melissa could make a fourth and final landfall in Newfoundland late Friday or early Saturday, bringing heavy rain and winds and combining with another storm system impacting the North Atlantic.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are currently forecasted to develop immediately after Melissa. However, hurricane season in the Atlantic runs through the end of November.
Hurricane Melissa could make a fourth landfall
Thursday 30 October 2025 15:00 , Isabel KeaneThe powerful, record-breaking hurricane has made landfall three times so far in Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas.
Melissa landed in Western Jamaica, near New Hope, on Tuesday afternoon as a Category 5 storm.
It then hit Southeastern Cuba on Wednesday morning as a Category 3 storm. On Wednesday afternoon, it hit the Bahamas, near Clarence Town, as a Category 1 storm.
Melissa is forecast to pass to the northwest of Bermuda late Thursday moving into Friday.
The storm also has the potential to pass or make landfall in Newfoundland, Canada, on Friday or Saturday.
U.S. is prepared to offer humanitarian aid to Cuba
Thursday 30 October 2025 14:37 , Isabel KeaneThe U.S. is ready to offer “immediate humanitarian aid” to the people of Cuba who have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X Thursday.
Rubio did not specify what type of aid or provide any additional details.
Recovery efforts underway in Cuba
Thursday 30 October 2025 14:30 , Isabel KeaneRecovery efforts were underway in Cuba Thursday morning as people began to clear blocked-off roads and the military rescued people trapped in isolated communities.
At least 241 communities were isolated and without communications, affecting as many as 140,000 people, according to Reuters.
Authorities evacuated around 735,000 people across eastern Cuba who were slowly starting to return home Thursday.
No fatalities have been reported.
Aerial images show devastation in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 14:00 , Isabel Keane
U.S. military will help with disaster relief efforts in Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 13:52 , Isabel KeaneThe State Department has asked the U.S. military to help with disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa, officials said Wednesday.
The mission will likely include airlifts of food, water and other supplies to remote parts that have been cut off from the rest of the island.
A person familiar with the efforts told the New York Times that the military’s Joint Task Force-Bravo was on standby. The unit has experience in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.
Jamaica and Haiti have formally requested disaster aid from the U.S., and the government of the Bahamas has requested air support, according to the report.
Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport to close early as winds expected to strengthen to hurricane force overnight
Thursday 30 October 2025 13:23 , Isabel KeaneBermuda’s only airport will close early Thursday, “as a safety precaution,” as Hurricane Melissa accelerates and is set to pass the northwest of the island.
L.F. Wade International Airport will close at 6:00 p.m. local time, the government of Bermuda wrote on social media.
“Skyport expects to reopen the airport on Friday, October 31, pending a middday assessment of the facility. The public will be advised once the airport is cleared to resume operations,” officials said.
Travelers are encouraged to check directly with their airlines for updates on any scheduled flights.
“Bermuda remains under a Hurricane Warning, with conditions expected to deteriorate this evening as winds strengthen to hurricane force overnight,” officials added.
Tui cancels all departures to Jamaica up to 9 November
Thursday 30 October 2025 13:01 , Simon CalderEurope’s biggest holiday company, Tui, will not send any customers to Jamaica for at least 10 more days.
The firm has cancelled all package holidays to the hurricane-ravaged island departing up to and including Sunday 9 November 2025 – saying “We can’t guarantee the holiday experience for customers.”
Tui has an estimated 1,400 passengers waiting to be flown home from Montego Bay after their UK-bound flights were cancelled.
On Wednesday the company flew empty aircraft out to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. They are on standby to fly in to Jamaica to operate an airlift for stranded travellers.
A spokesperson said: “We’re continuing to assess the full impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the extent of the damage to local infrastructure including resorts, roads and airports.
“Our teams on the ground are working hard to support customers and ensure they have access to food, water and essential items. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues remain our primary concern and we ask them to continue to follow the advice of local authorities and their resort teams.
“We understand that this is a challenging and unsettling time, and we’d like to thank customers for their understanding as this situation evolves.”
Jamaica's PM shares videos of devastation
Thursday 30 October 2025 12:40 , Maira ButtJamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness shared videos of devastation as he took an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas.
“The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery,” he said.
I am now in St Elizabeth and images of destruction are all around.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 29, 2025
The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery. pic.twitter.com/s7P31ytXzm
I am now in St James where we are continuing our damage assessment.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 29, 2025
The residents here have suffered significant damage including severe flooding.
Despite the difficulties the Jamaican spirit shines through as a strong reminder that we are a resilient nation with the capacity to… pic.twitter.com/dPDL8Evjnb
UK charters flights to help British nationals leave Jamaica following the impact of Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 12:15 , Maira ButtThe UK government is chartering flights to help stranded British nationals leave Jamaica, following the devastation wreaked by the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa.
“The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days will have been,” said foreign secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday.
“The UK government is chartering flights to bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible.”
Advice on the government’s website reads: “All British nationals who have already registered via the Register Your Presence portal will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal once airports are open. If you are a British national in Jamaica wanting to leave on a flight and have not already registered your presence, you should do so immediately. “
The statement adds: “We will prioritise those who are most vulnerable, for example those with medical needs and children, in allocating seats on the flight. The cost of a seat will be based on standard commercial rates.”
Starmer says scenes from Hurricane Melissa ‘truly shocking’ as he pledges support
Thursday 30 October 2025 12:00 , Maira ButtThe UK is supporting Jamaica with £2.5m in emergency humanitarian funding after Hurricane Melissa, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as "truly shocking".
British experts are also heading to the region to help co-ordinate and deliver aid.
The King on Wednesday said he was "deeply concerned" by the destruction and described it as a reminder of the "urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of nature".
Islands across Caribbean left reeling from Hurricane Melissa aftermath
Thursday 30 October 2025 11:37 , Maira ButtHolly Patrick reports:
Dramatic video shows how Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti this week.
The powerful storm made landfall in Jamaica, registering as a category 5 hurricane.
Authorities in Haiti said at least 25 people, including children, have been killed. In Jamaica, eight deaths have been confirmed, while one fatality has been reported in the Dominican Republic, bringing the current known death toll across the Caribbean to 34. Cuba has yet to report casualties but has suffered widespread destruction.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday before hitting Haiti and moving through the Bahamas.
Where is Hurricane Melissa right now?
Thursday 30 October 2025 11:20 , Maira ButtAs of 0900 GMT, Melissa was packing winds of near 105 miles per hour (165km/h) as it approached Bermuda according to the National Hurricane Centre.
It is expected to reached Bermudans by evening, and is currently around 700 miles (1,100km) from the country.
Watch: Satellite imagery shows Jamaica before and after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 11:00 , Maira ButtJamaica faces 'deep humanitarian challenge', warn relief agencies
Thursday 30 October 2025 10:38 , Maira ButtRelief agencies have warned that Hurricane Melissa has caused unprecedented damage across the Caribbean. The aftermath of the devastating storm is still being assessed.
“In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica faces a deep humanitarian challenge,” Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities told The Independent.
“Across the island, families are living without power or clean water, farmers are working to salvage what remains of their crops, and communities remain cut off as recovery begins.”
The charity currently has aid prepositioned in Florida and have deployed to the Caribbean to distribute aid.
“The urgent needs include emergency shelter for displaced people, clean water and hygiene supplies, rapid support to health facilities, and logistical capacity to reach isolated communities,” she continued.
“Early reports indicate significant damage to homes, hospitals, schools, and roads across southwestern Jamaica. The full extent of the impact remains unclear, as authorities are waiting for conditions to improve before beginning assessments and search and rescue efforts.”
In pictures: Hurricane Melissa leaves catastrophic devastation across Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 10:12 , Maira ButtAt least four people have been killed in Jamaica as the country reels from the after-effects of the devastating storm.
The British Red Cross said that early indications confirmed that the disaster had been an “unprecedented catastrophe” for the island.
“Whole communities are under water and the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating,” said Alexander Pendry, global response manager at the British Red Cross.
Climate change made Hurricane Melissa four times more likely, study estimates
Thursday 30 October 2025 09:53 , James ReynoldsClimate change made Hurricane Melissa four times more likely, a study by scientists at Imperial College London has estimated.
The researchers found that climate change, caused primarily by the burning of oil, gas and coal, had boosted Melissa’s wind speed by 7% (18kph/11mph).
Imperial researchers estimated that in a world without climate change, a weaker hurricane would have been about 12% less damaging.
Storms will get worse with climate change, expert warns
Thursday 30 October 2025 09:40 , James ReynoldsStorms will continue to grow stronger and more destructive as a result of climate change, a climate expert has warned in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation of the Caribbean.
Professor Ralf Toumi, Director of the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, said: “Man-made climate change clearly made Hurricane Melissa stronger and more destructive. These storms will become even more devastating in the future if we continue overheating the planet by burning fossil fuels.
“Jamaica had plenty of time and experience to prepare for this storm, but there are limits to how countries can prepare and adapt.
“Adaptation to climate change is vital but it is not a sufficient response to global warming. The emission of greenhouse gases also has to stop.”
Where is Hurricane Melissa now?
Thursday 30 October 2025 09:25 , James ReynoldsHurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday before hitting Haiti and moving through the Bahamas.
Our interactive tracker follows the storm as it moves north:
Hurricane Melissa tracker: Where will storm go after devastating Cuba and Jamaica?
The deadly combination that made Hurricane Melissa so devastating
Thursday 30 October 2025 09:10 , James ReynoldsExperts say that the storm’s powerful winds and its slow pace, likely exacerbated by climate change, have allowed a huge hurricane to linger in the region for maximum damage.
Read the full story:
The deadly combination that made Hurricane Melissa so devastating
WATCH: Moment Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba
Thursday 30 October 2025 08:55 , James ReynoldsSatellite imagery captured the moment that Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba:
Moment Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba captured in satellite imagery
Flooding could last for days
Thursday 30 October 2025 08:40 , James ReynoldsHurricane Melissa’s strong winds have calmed somewhat during its advance across Jamaica, Cuba and Hispaniola, but flooding could persist for days, the Weather Channel warns.
Heavy rain is expected to continue to fall in Hispaniola, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos through Thursday, resulting in ‘life-threatening’ flooding, the channel said.
Hurricane conditions could develop in Bermuda today, but are likely to have diminished by Friday morning.
Have you been affected?
Thursday 30 October 2025 08:25 , James ReynoldsHave you been affected by Hurricane Melissa? Contact james.reynolds@independent.co.uk
Dozens dead and homes destroyed as Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction across the Caribbean
Thursday 30 October 2025 08:10 , James ReynoldsCommunities across the northern Caribbean were grappling on Thursday with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as the death toll from the catastrophic storm continues to climb.
Government workers and residents are clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities, which sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.
Read the full story:
Hurricane Melissa estimated to have cost $50bn in damages
Thursday 30 October 2025 07:54 , James ReynoldsHurricane Melissa will cost an estimated $48-52bn in damages and economic losses, American forecaster AccuWeather said in a preliminary assessment on Thursday.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said: “The loss of tourism and disruptions to business will be felt for years. Extensive work is needed to repair or rebuild critical infrastructure from the winds, storm surge, flooding and mudslides.
“In the hardest hit communities, the recovery will take years, even a decade or more. Virtually the entire economy of Jamaica has been impacted by this hurricane."
Hundreds left homeless in southern Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 07:47 , Shweta SharmaStunned residents in southern Jamaica were seen walking through the wreckage of their homes after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island, leaving widespread devastation in its wake.
In the town of Lacovia, in St Elizabeth parish, many people were left without shelter or belongings as floodwaters receded.
“I don’t have a house now,” said Sylvester Guthrie, a sanitation worker clutching his bicycle – the only possession he managed to save.
“I have land in another location that I can build back, but I am going to need help.”
Authorities say hundreds of homes across the region have been damaged or destroyed, with many residents appealing for assistance as recovery efforts continue.
US embassy in Jamaica says it is responding to storm in Haiti, Cuba and Bahamas
Thursday 30 October 2025 07:23 , Shweta SharmaThe U.S. Embassy in Jamaica said president Donald Trump had authorised an immediate response to Hurricane Melissa, directing the Department of State to mobilize support for affected communities.
It said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team, including urban search-and-rescue teams, to assess needs and provide assistance.
It said the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and the Ian Fleming International Airport serving Ocho Rios were being opened on Thursday morning.
Hurricane Melissa tracker: Where will storm head next after devastating Cuba and Jamaica?
Thursday 30 October 2025 06:54 , Shweta SharmaHurricane Melissa has moved towards the Bahamas after hitting eastern Cuba with devastating winds of 120mph and leaving a trail of destruction in Jamaica.
The “storm of the century” is one of the most powerful in Atlantic history, and the most forceful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica.
A “dangerous storm surge” is expected in the Bahamas on Wednesday night as the National Hurricane Centre warns residents to remain sheltered.
Hurricane Melissa began as a tropical wave near West Africa, before gaining traction and blowing westward to the Caribbean.
Hurricane Melissa tracker: Where will storm go after devastating Cuba and Jamaica?
Michigan tourist recounts sheltering in closet when Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 06:45 , Shweta SharmaA Michigan travel agent who was vacationing in Jamaica described taking cover in a hotel closet as Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island as a category 5 storm on Tuesday.
Amanda Tessoff, from Highland Township, said she initially was not concerned about the storm after having experienced Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica last year.
But Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, brought destructive winds and flooding across the island.
“You could just feel the walls vibrating, and that really scared me,” Tessoff told CBS News Detroit. “I was thinking what happens if this whole building comes tumbling down.”
Tessoff said water was dripping from the walls and seeping through air conditioning panels, adding that the room smelled of burning chemicals.
Nearly 100 guests at the resort have since been moved into one building, where they still have electricity and are being served hot meals while awaiting updates on when they can return home.
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica with top winds of 185mph (295kph) before weakening and moving toward Cuba and the Bahamas.
Jamaica's PM shares videos of devastation
Thursday 30 October 2025 06:30 , Shweta SharmaJamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness shared videos of devastation as he took an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas.
“The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery,” he said.
I am now in St Elizabeth and images of destruction are all around.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 29, 2025
The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery. pic.twitter.com/s7P31ytXzm
I am now in St James where we are continuing our damage assessment.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 29, 2025
The residents here have suffered significant damage including severe flooding.
Despite the difficulties the Jamaican spirit shines through as a strong reminder that we are a resilient nation with the capacity to… pic.twitter.com/dPDL8Evjnb
In pictures: Jamaica assesses scale of Hurricane Melissa devastation
Thursday 30 October 2025 06:15 , Shweta SharmaHurricane Melissa struck Jamaica at its peak as a category 5 storm, triggering landslides, ripping off roofs, flooding streets, and collapsing houses.
A landslide blocked the main roads in Santa Cruz, in Jamaica’s St Elizabeth parish, where the streets were reduced to mud pits.
Residents swept water from their homes as they tried to salvage their belongings. Powerful winds tore part of the roof off a high school being used as a public shelter.
Melissa hit Jamaica with winds of 185mph (295kph) – one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record – before weakening and moving on to Cuba. Even countries outside the storm’s direct path felt its devastating effects.
Starmer says scenes from Hurricane Melissa ‘truly shocking’ as he pledges support
Thursday 30 October 2025 05:47 , Shweta SharmaThe UK is supporting Jamaica with £2.5m in emergency humanitarian funding after Hurricane Melissa, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as "truly shocking".
British experts are also heading to the region to help co-ordinate and deliver aid.
The King on Wednesday said he was "deeply concerned" by the destruction and described it as a reminder of the "urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of nature".
Sir Keir told the Commons: "The scenes of destruction emerging from Jamaica are truly shocking."
Both the Foreign Secretary and I have been in close contact with our Jamaican counterparts in recent days to offer the UK's full support.
"I can update the House that HMS Trent and specialist rapid deployment teams are pre-positioned in the region, and we stand ready to provide humanitarian support."
As many as 8,000 Britons are in Jamaica, and the FCDO has urged them to register their presence through the Government website to receive updates on the hurricane.
An FCDO official said: "The safety and security of British nationals is paramount."We're providing 24-hour consular assistance. We're in close contact with airlines, travel operators and Abta (Association of British Travel Agents) to ensure that they're safe and able to return to the UK as soon as possible."
Influencer under fire after complaining Hurricane Melissa ‘messed with’ her vacation in Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 05:33 , Shweta SharmaAn influencer is facing backlash over her series of posts complaining about being on vacation in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa batters the region.
The Category 5 storm made landfall Tuesday afternoon in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with winds whipping at 185 miles per hour in what forecasters are calling an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.” At least seven people have died in the Caribbean so far, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Hannah Grubbs began posting TikTok videos about her trip Friday, including a since-deleted video of her and a friend walking through the airport as text across the screen read, “Us on our way to Jamaica during a hurricane.”
Influencer under fire after complaining Hurricane Melissa ‘messed with’ her vacation
New satellite images show impact of Hurricane melissa
Thursday 30 October 2025 04:49 , Shweta SharmaNew satellite images have emerged to show the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica’s southern coast.
Images captured by Vantor show the dramatic transformation of Black River and a fishing village in White House, submerged and scarred by the hurricane’s fury. What were once neat clusters of houses and boats are now muddy expanses of debris and standing water.
Authorities in Jamaica say it could take weeks to fully assess the scale of the damage. The United Nations called the destruction unprecedented, as thousands remain displaced and much of the island struggles with power outages and washed-out roads.
Haiti in pictures after Hurricane Melissa kills 25 people
Thursday 30 October 2025 04:30 , Shweta SharmaHaiti has reported at least 25 deaths from Hurricane Melissa, even though the powerful storm did not hit the Caribbean's most populous nation directly.
Days of rain and subsequent flooding in Petit-Goave, a coastal town 64km (40miles) west of the capital, have caused massive destruction after a river burst its banks.
At least 10 children were killed and 12 people remain missing there, Haiti's disaster management agency said, adding that nationwide more than 1,000 homes have been flooded and nearly 12,000 people have been moved into emergency shelters.
Hurricane Melissa leaves a trail of destruction in Cuba
Thursday 30 October 2025 04:29 , Shweta SharmaHurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation across Cuba after tearing through Jamaica and Haiti as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.
The storm, which made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of up to 185mph (295kph), weakened slightly before striking eastern Cuba, where it caused collapsed houses, blocked roads and widespread blackouts.
Cuban officials reported severe damage in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Pinar del Río, where roofs were ripped off buildings and power lines were brought down by the violent winds.
More than 735,000 people remain in shelters, according to authorities. Local media showed hospitals and schools damaged, including Santiago’s Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Hospital, where walls crumbled and glass littered the floors.
“Life is what matters,” said Alexis Ramos, a fisherman in Santiago de Cuba who lost his home to the storm. “Repairing this costs money, a lot of money.”
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said recovery efforts would begin as soon as conditions allowed, but the hurricane is expected to further strain Cuba’s fragile economy, already reeling from food shortages, power outages, and fuel crises.
“It has been a highly complex night, with significant damage reported,” Díaz-Canel wrote on X. “I urge our people to remain vigilant, to uphold discipline, and to continue taking all necessary precautions.”
The country’s National Institute of Hydraulic Resources reported rainfall of up to 15 inches (38cms) in some areas, sparking flash floods and landslides.
Melissa, now downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane, was moving north-northeast at about 21 mph (33 kph) late Wednesday, likely to hit the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Authorities in the Bahamas have begun evacuating people from the southeastern islands ahead of Melissa’s expected arrival overnight.
National blood supply in Jamaica is 'critically low', health ministry says
Thursday 30 October 2025 04:15 , Shweta SharmaHealth authorities in Jamaica have urged people to donate blood to replenish the “critically low” levels of the national supply in the country.
The health ministry said Hurricane Melissa “disrupted routine blood collection drives and has slowed the movement of blood and blood products to hospitals.”
It said the shortage could affect people who need transfusions.
“We are urging all Jamaicans who are able to give blood. Your donation can save lives, especially at a time when hospitals are still in emergency mode and every unit counts,” Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, the chief medical officer of Health for Jamaica, said in the statement.
Watch: Jamaica police work to clear fallen trees after Hurricane Melissa devastation
Thursday 30 October 2025 04:01 , Katie HawkinsonU.S. military on the ground in the Caribbean
Thursday 30 October 2025 14:23 , Isabel KeaneThe U.S. State Department wrote on X that troops were “on the ground in the Caribbean to deliver life-saving supplies” to those impacted by the hurricane.
The department is collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and host governments to deliver food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and search and rescue support.
Eighteen people missing in Haiti
Thursday 30 October 2025 03:30 , Katie HawkinsonAt least eighteen people are still missing in Haiti as the island begins to recover from Hurricane Melissa.
Haitian officials said Wednesday at least 25 people died in the storm, including children.
The deadly combination that made Hurricane Melissa so devastating
Thursday 30 October 2025 03:00 , James C. ReynoldsHurricane Melissa made landfall on Cuba early on Wednesday after devastating swathes of Jamaica with violent 185mph winds.
Experts say that the storm’s powerful winds and its slow pace, likely exacerbated by climate change, have allowed a huge hurricane to linger in the region for maximum damage.
Keep reading:
The deadly combination that made Hurricane Melissa so devastating
Hurricane Melissa battering Bahamas with 'damaging winds and flooding rains'
Thursday 30 October 2025 02:56 , Shweta SharmaHurricane Melissa is currently pounding the Bahamas with "damaging winds, flooding rains, and a dangerous storm surge", the National Hurricane Center said.
Melissa is expected to continue to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this evening, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night, it said.
Dozens of people have already been evacuated from the archipelago’s southeast corner, where conditions have rapidly deteriorated amid widespread power outages and communications breakdowns.
Mapped: Hurricane Melissa's forecasted path
Thursday 30 October 2025 02:30 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa is forecasted to continue moving across the Bahamas on Wednesday evening and pass near Bermuda late Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.
See the storm’s path below:
Towns underwater, 185mph winds and half a million without power: Hurricane Melissa’s path of destruction devastates Jamaica
Thursday 30 October 2025 02:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe world’s strongest storm of the year has torn through Jamaica with 185mph winds and flash flooding, causing widespread devastation.
Whole towns have been left underwater, one of the island’s airports has been flooded, and more than half a million people are without power. Tens of thousands of tourists remain stranded, including 8,000 Britons, with thousands of locals in shelters.
Footage of the damage to the airport in Montego Bay showed seating areas ripped up, broken glass and collapsed ceilings after the category 5 storm hit. Four hospitals were damaged, at least one with its roof torn off, trees were uprooted, and roads were deluged overnight.
Keep reading:
‘Storm of the century’ Hurricane Melissa’s 185mph path of destruction ravages Jamaica
Moment Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba captured in satellite imagery
Thursday 30 October 2025 01:40 , Katie HawkinsonMoment Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba captured in satellite imagery
'People have lost everything,' Haiti resident says
Thursday 30 October 2025 01:20 , Katie HawkinsonCharly Saint-Vil, a 30-year-old resident of Petit-Goâve, Haiti, told the Associated Press that “people have lost everything.”
Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people, including children, in Saint-Vil’s hometown. Haitian officials have reported at least 25 deaths overall.
Saint-Vil explained that he’s hosting several people who lost their homes in the storm.
“What I can do, I will do it, but it’s not easy because the situation is really complicated for everyone,” he said.
Video: Aerial footage shows devastating extent of Hurricane Melissa's destruction
Thursday 30 October 2025 01:00 , Katie HawkinsonIn pictures: Hurricane Melissa floods homes in Cuba
Thursday 30 October 2025 00:40 , Katie Hawkinson
What watches and warnings are in effect?
Thursday 30 October 2025 00:20 , Katie HawkinsonAs of Wednesday at 8 p.m., a Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- Southeastern and Central Bahamas
- Bermuda
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Turks and Caicos Islands
The National Hurricane Center has warned that residents in the Bahamas should remain sheltered, and that preparations in Bermuda should be completed before tropical-storm-force winds arrive.
Forecasters release update as Hurricane Melissa moves across the Bahamas
Thursday 30 October 2025 00:03 , Katie HawkinsonHurricane Melissa is moving across the Bahamas as a Category 1 storm with 90 mph winds this evening, according to an 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.
“On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to continue to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this evening, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night,” the agency said.
The storm is expected to restrengthen this evening, before weakening again tomorrow.
Hurricane Melissa death toll surpasses 30
Wednesday 29 October 2025 23:45 , Katie HawkinsonThe death toll from Hurricane Melissa has reached at least 34, according to the latest counts from local officials.
At least 25 people, including children, have been killed in Haiti, local officials said on Wednesday night. At least eight people have also been killed in Jamaica, and one death was reported in the Dominican Republic.
Hurricane Melissa kills at least 25 people in Haiti
Wednesday 29 October 2025 23:30 , Katie HawkinsonHaiti’s Civil Protection Agency said Wednesday that at least 25 people, including at least ten children, have died and 18 people are missing, the Associated Press reports.
Twenty of the deaths happened in Petit-Goâve, where an overflowing river caused widespread flooding, the agency said.
Reminder: Hurricane Melissa a record storm for Jamaica
Wednesday 29 October 2025 23:16 , Mike BediganHurricane Melissa was the strongest storm to hit Jamaica since record-keeping began 174 years ago.
It tore off roofs and caused fallen trees, landslides and heavy flooding, resulting in at least eight deaths.
As of Wednesday, more than 25,000 people were packed into shelters, and the country’s education minister said 77 percent of the island was without power.
U.S. disaster relief workers en route to the Caribbean: report
Wednesday 29 October 2025 22:55 , Mike BediganDozens of U.S. disaster relief workers, including urban search and rescue teams, are en route to the Caribbean to help local communities with the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Disaster Assistance Response Team personnel from Washington and regional hubs in Miami and Costa Rica as well as the urban search and rescue crews from Los Angeles County, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia, are en route to the region, three State Department officials told The Associated Press.
They are expected to arrive in the next 24 to 48 hours and join up with local staff in Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, where they will be based to offer help in neighboring Haiti, per AP.
Dozens evacuated from Bahamas as Melissa approaches
Wednesday 29 October 2025 22:34 , Mike BediganDozens of people in the southeast of the Bahamas are being evacuated as Hurricane Melissa bears down on the archipelago.
“We’ve had about five flights so far,” said Alex Storr, executive chairman of the Bahamas’ Disaster Management Authority, adding that officials expect at least four more flights later Wednesday.
Melissa is expected to cut through the southeast Bahamas Wednesday evening and through to the morning.
In pictures: Drone footage shows devastation across Jamaica
Wednesday 29 October 2025 22:10 , Mike Bedigan
Hurricane Melissa tracker: Where will storm head next after devastating Cuba and Jamaica?
Wednesday 29 October 2025 21:53 , Mike BediganHurricane Melissa tracker: Where will storm go after devastating Cuba and Jamaica?
Recap: Hurricane Melissa continues on to the Bahamas
Wednesday 29 October 2025 21:38 , Mike BediganOn Wednesday Hurricane Melissa smashed through Cuba after laying waste to Jamaica, leaving thousands without power and multiple casualties. It has arrived in the Bahamas and is expected to hit Bermuda Thursday.
Here’s a recap, following the National Hurricane’s Center’s 5 p.m. update:
- Over 50 casualties have been reported across the Caribbean, including four in Jamaica, one in the Dominican Republic and dozens in Haiti, including children, after a river burst its banks.
- As of Wednesday evening the Cuban government discontinued all hurricane and tropical storm warnings for their Cuban provinces. A tropical storm warning in effect for Haiti has also been discontinued.
- Hurricane warnings are in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas and Bermuda, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Airports in Jamaica are expected to reopen for relief and commercial flights in the next 48 hours, the country’s transport minister has said.
- Over 70 percent of Jamaica was left without power following Melissa’s destruction earlier this week, island officials said.
Jamaica's three airports to reopen for flights and relief
Wednesday 29 October 2025 21:20 , Mike BediganJamaica’s three international airports will reopen within the next 48 hours to provide relief and evacuation flights, the country’s transport minister has said.
Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will be accepting relief flights by 4 p.m. local time Wednesday, Daryl Vaz wrote on X.
Commercial flights from the airport are scheduled resume at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Ian Fleming International Airport on the island’s northeast coast will open Thursday at 7 a.m. for commercial flights.
Sangster Airport in the north of Jamaica will reopen for relief flights at 10 a.m. Thursday, Vaz added, with commercial flights to be determined “following completion of assessment.”
Sangster was reported to have sustained heavy damage, including to its departures lounge during the storm Tuesday.
Melissa starting to accelerate over Bahamas
Wednesday 29 October 2025 21:00 , Mike BediganHurricane Melissa is beginning to to accelerate northeastward over the Bahamas, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The agency warns that damaging winds, flooding rains and a dangerous storm surge will continue in the area throughout Wednesday night.
'Do not take comfort from storm downgrade,' warns Bahamas minister
Wednesday 29 October 2025 20:47 , Mike BediganA Minister for the Bahamas has warned that residents should “not take comfort” in the downgrading of Hurricane Melissa from a Category 5 storm to Category 2.
Leon Lundy, Minister of State with Responsibility for Disaster Risk Management Leon Lundy urged residents to remain on alert and sheltered Wednesday, saying that the “danger has not passed”.
“While the storm has lessened in strength, it remains a serious and dangerous system,” he told reporters.
“Category two winds and the threat of flooding still poses real risk to life, and we remain vigilant and on high alert. No one should take comfort in the downgrade. The danger has not passed.”
'Trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces': Jamaica natives assess destruction
Wednesday 29 October 2025 20:31 , Mike BediganJamaican residents have described their heartbreak in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“I’m looking at my house, and so many things have blown away,” Empress Thandi Wise told The Associated Press Wednesday.
“Windows are out, doors are out. I’m just trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces. Everything is wet.”
Wise and her family, including her elderly mother and 12-year-old daughter, sheltered at a friend’s house during the storm and haven’t been able to get to the wellness center and yoga studio she runs on the other side of town.
Updated death toll from Hurricane Melissa
Wednesday 29 October 2025 20:15 , Mike BediganHurricane Melissa has now left at least 49 people dead across Caribbean, and officials say they expect numbers to rise.
Authorities in Haiti said that at least 40 people, including children, had died after a river burst its banks in the costal town of Petit-Goâve. 10 more are still missing.
At least eight people are believed to have been killed in Jamaica, including an infant who was killed by a falling tree.
One person is dead in the Dominican Republic, with another missing.
Farmer rescues his dog in Santiago de Cuba
Wednesday 29 October 2025 20:01 , Mike BediganOver 70 patients being relocated from Jamaica hospital
Wednesday 29 October 2025 19:42 , Mike BediganApproximately 71 patients at Black River hospital in St Elizabeth in Jamaica are being relocated after power to the facility was cut off by Hurricane Melissa.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton said arrangements to move the patients were being made with the Jamaica Defence Force and the National Water Commission.
Tufton added that he and his team will be spending the day assessing conditions along the coastlines, where patient evacuation are already underway.
Death toll in Haiti rises to at least 40
Wednesday 29 October 2025 19:25 , Mike BediganAt least 40 people have died across Haiti, due to Hurricane Melissa,
Steven Aristil, with Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, told The Associated Press that 20 of those deaths were reported in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve.
Another 10 people remain missing in the area.
The number of dead and missing in Haiti often fluctuate in the early days following major natural disasters.
Aristil told AP that officials expect the death toll to keep rising as as heavy rains persist.
Watch: Jamaica police work to clear fallen trees after Hurricane Melissa devastation
Wednesday 29 October 2025 19:06 , Mike BediganDangerous storm surge and flooding expected in the Bahamas tonight
Wednesday 29 October 2025 18:53 , Mike BediganThe National Hurricane Center said it expects damaging winds, flooding Rains, and a dangerous storm surge in the Bahamas throughout Wednesday night.
Similar conditions are also expected during the afternoon in eastern Cuba.
In pictures: Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Haiti
Wednesday 29 October 2025 18:42 , Mike Bedigan
Four more bodies found in Jamaica
Wednesday 29 October 2025 18:32 , Mike BediganThe bodies of four more people have been found in southwest Jamaica, authorities have said.
Police Superintendent Coleridge Minto confirmed the news to Nationwide News Network radio station on Wednesday.
Two of the bodies washed ashore in the Black River community and have not been identified.
The bodies of a 35-year-old man and a 64-year-old man were found in Galleon Beach in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth, Minto said, though their names have not been released publicly.
The current official death toll in Jamaica now stands at eight, though authorities are investigating the possibility of more.
In pictures: Children and other residents evacuated from Cuba ahead of Melissa's arrival
Wednesday 29 October 2025 18:20 , Mike Bedigan
Death toll from Melissa hits double digits across the Caribbean
Wednesday 29 October 2025 18:00 , Mike BediganThe death toll from Hurricane Melissa has entered double digits, as the powerful storm nears the Bahamas after leaving a trail of destruction across Jamaica and parts of Cuba.
Authorities in Haiti said that at least 25 people, including children, had died after a river burst its banks in the costal town of Petit-Goâve. At least four people are believed to have been killed in Jamaica, as well as one in the Dominican Republic.
International visitors to Jamaica are safe, tourism minister says
Wednesday 29 October 2025 17:53 , Mike BediganAll international visitors who rode out Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica have been accounted for and are in good health, the island’s tourism minister has said.
Around 25,000 tourists were in Jamaica as the storm hit Tuesday, according to Edmund Bartlett.
Two tourists suffered “minor lacerations” from falling debris and another suffered a stroke, but “the medical condition of everybody is in good order,” he said.
Bartlett added that Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston may reopen on Wednesday for relief flights and humanitarian aid. Flights to evacuate guests should be operational from Thursday.
Sangster International Airport, which sustained heavy damage remains closed. Bartlett said he intended to visit the airport and hoped it would also soon resume flights.
At least three babies born during Hurricane Melissa
Wednesday 29 October 2025 17:42 , Mike BediganThree “Melissa” babies were safely born in Jamaica as the storm battered the island Tuesday, authorities have said.
“You know, Jamaicans, in the middle of all of this, a baby was safely delivered under emergency conditions,” Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie told reporters Wednesday.
He compared the infant to other “Gilbert babies” – delivered during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.
McKenzie’s office confirmed that two other babies were also delivered during the storm.
Melissa's path moving towards the Bahamas
Wednesday 29 October 2025 17:30 , Mike Bedigan
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
