At Least 7 Dead As Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica, Moves Toward Cuba And Bahamas | Video

Last Updated:October 29, 2025, 07:30 IST

Hurricane Melissa: At least three people died in Jamaica, among seven confirmed deaths across the Caribbean, three dead in Haiti and one in Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Melissa Kills Seven Across Caribbean, Thousands Displaced in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm ever recorded in Jamaica, left a trail of destruction after making landfall near New Hope on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, packing winds of 185 mph (295 km/h). Entire coastal communities were inundated, trees uprooted, and power lines torn apart, plunging much of the island into darkness.

Despite evacuation warnings, many residents remained at home as floodwaters rapidly rose. Some were stranded on rooftops, while others sought refuge in overcrowded shelters. As per reports, at least three people died in Jamaica, among seven confirmed deaths across the Caribbean, with three reported in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Another 13 people were injured while preparing for the storm.

This is the view 30,000 feet above Hurricane Melissa. The massive storm is currently hovering over the Caribbean, showing its full force as clouds spiral for hundreds of miles, a powerful reminder of nature’s strength and unpredictability? What would you do in this situation? pic.twitter.com/Yc7S7WBrft— GO VISION🔭 (@GoVisionX) October 28, 2025

‘We’re still not out of the woods,’ warns minister

St Elizabeth Parish, one of the hardest-hit regions on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, is now largely underwater. Local government minister Desmond McKenzie said the area’s infrastructure had been “severely compromised," and confirmed that the Black River Hospital lost power, forcing the relocation of 75 patients.

“We’re still not out of the woods," McKenzie said. “Assessment teams will move in as soon as it’s safe to provide relief supplies. Everything is ready, we’re just waiting for the storm to pass."

More than 800 shelters were opened nationwide, housing around 15,000 people. In Clarendon Parish, widespread flooding and damage to emergency services were reported, including the inundation of a fire station in Santa Cruz.

Residents describe a night of terror

Locals and tourists described harrowing scenes as Melissa ripped through the island. “The doors are being blown off by the wind," said Kabien, a mother-of-three in Santa Cruz. “I’m using my own strength to hold them shut, it’s terrifying."

The hurricane’s fury tore roofs from homes and schools and flooded major roads in Kingston and Montego Bay. Early footage showed submerged vehicles, collapsed buildings, and rescue teams navigating waist-deep waters.

🚨JUST IN: New video shows the catastrophic damage from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in Black River, Jamaica. This is very sad! 💔 pic.twitter.com/KRZvAdgc3V— Lucas Sanders 💙🗳️🌊💪🌈🚺🟧 (@LucasSa56947288) October 29, 2025

Hurricane now moves toward Cuba and the Bahamas

After battering Jamaica, Melissa weakened slightly to a Category 3 storm as it tracked northeast toward Cuba. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm was about 160 miles (260 km) southwest of Guantánamo, with hurricane warnings issued across five eastern Cuban provinces, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas.

Nearly 900,000 Cubans have been evacuated from coastal areas, with further alerts in place for the southeastern and central Bahamas and a hurricane watch for Bermuda.

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public...Read More

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public...

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News world At Least 7 Dead As Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica, Moves Toward Cuba And Bahamas | Video

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