Santiago De Cuba Devastated By Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa turned its focus toward Bermuda after leaving a trail of destruction across Jamaica and Cuba, and inundating the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Residents in low-lying areas of Turks and Caicos were ordered to shelter in place overnight Wednesday.

In Jamaica, recovery efforts were just beginning. 77% of the island remained without power, though commercial flights were expected to resume in some areas by Thursday. After surveying the hardest-hit communities, the Prime Minister called the destruction “heartbreaking,” but said the resilience and unity of the Jamaican people were “unbroken.”

Melissa was on track to reach Bermuda Thursday morning, bringing damaging winds and flooding rain.

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Check here for Melissa’s full forecast, and here for the path of the storm as we track it.

Read on for are our updates as we followed Melissa throughout the day Wednesday:

(05:47 p.m. EDT) Where Melissa Is Going Next

From meteorologist Sara Tonks:

Once Hurricane Melissa moves out of the southeastern Bahamas, it will be back over open water for the first time since its devastating landfall over Jamaica on Tuesday.

Overall, the region ahead of Melissa could support a small amount of strengthening overnight by Thursday morning, thanks to lower amounts of wind shear and a lack of disruptive terrain.

However, Melissa will also be moving into cooler waters, so any strengthening will be moderate (likely 5 to 10 mph).

The storm is still expected to pass near Bermuda late Thursday morning or early Friday as a Category 2 or strong Category 1 hurricane, and any strengthening is not likely to have a significant impact on the magnitude of threats for the archipelago.

(05:29 p.m. EDT) Will ‘Melissa’ Be Retired?

After its catastrophic impact in Jamaica, it’s almost certain that the name Melissa will be retired from future hurricane name lists.

The World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee will meet in the spring of 2026 to decide which storm names from 2025 were too deadly or destructive to be used again, and Melissa’s impact seemingly makes that decision an easy one.

Just like we’d never reuse names like Andrew, Katrina, or Sandy, it would feel confusing and insensitive to face another “Hurricane Melissa” years from now.

Read more on our case against another Melissa, from senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.

(05:16 p.m. EDT) The Latest On Jamaica’s Major Airports

From meteorologist Sara Tonks:

Jamaica’s Minister of Energy, Telecommunications & Transport says two of the island nation’s airports will reopen for commercial flights tomorrow. The first relief flight was scheduled for today.

Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston)

• Relief Flights: 4 p.m., Oct. 29
• Commercial Flights: 7 a.m., Oct. 30

Ian Fleming International Airport (Boscobel)

• Commercial Flights: 7 a.m., Oct. 30

Sangster International Airport (Montego Bay)

• Relief Flights: 10 a.m., Oct. 30
• Commercial Flights: TBA (following completion of assessment)

(04:59 p.m. EDT) Homes In Jamaica’s Black River Torn Apart

From Morning Brief writer Wyatt Williams:

Black River, a town that sits on the island’s southwestern coast, was in the direct path of Melissa’s strongest winds. The damage to homes in this clip is genuinely shocking.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister shared in a post on social media that “The devastation is truly heartbreaking, yet the spirit of the people remains unbroken. The strength, resilience and determination of the people of St. Elizabeth are already shining through as they focus on recovery.”

(04:42 p.m. EDT) Did Climate Change Make Melissa More Powerful?

Scientists say yes, absolutely. According to experts, record-breaking heat in the Atlantic fueled by climate change, helped Melissa to rapidly intensify, causing the storm’s wind speeds to jump an incredible 70 mph in just one day.

Warmer waters also drove heavier rain and higher storm surge. Since our seas have absorbed more than 90% of the planet’s excess heat, each small increase makes hurricanes like Melissa even more destructive.

Click here for more on how a changing climate could be making hurricane season that much more dangerous, from meteorologist Jennifer Gray.

(04:25 p.m. EDT) Most Of Jamaica Is Without Power

Right now, about 77% of Jamaica is without electricity. Officials say power restoration will begin in the areas that were least affected by the storm: Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas.

If you’re having difficulty reaching loved ones on the island, power outages may be the culprit.

Internet provider Starlink has stepped in to help, offering free service to people in Jamaica and the Bahamas who were impacted by the storm through the end of November.

(04:14 p.m. EDT) Cubans Begin To Pick Up The Pieces

From Morning Brief writer Wyatt Williams:

As Hurricane Melissa continues to track north through the Caribbean, we’ve got a glimpse into the aftermath on the southern coast of Cuba.

Footage from this morning in the historic city of Santiago de Cuba, founded more than 500 years ago, shows collapsed homes, roofs torn open, and flooded streets.

More than 700,000 residents were evacuated from Cuba’s eastern region. Authorities have yet to report any casualties from the storm.

(03:57 p.m. EDT) Damage In Westmoreland Parish

Drone footage captures a haunting scene across Westmoreland Parish, on Jamaica’s west coast. Splintered wood, roofless homes and a widespread debris field now blanket the landscape.

The devastation in Westmoreland is especially severe, as its only miles from where Melissa made its catastrophic landfall.

(03:41 p.m. EDT) Travel Delays From Melissa

Unsurprisingly, the hurricane has triggered widespread travel chaos across much of the Caribbean.

In Jamaica, hundreds of flights have been canceled as the country works to clean up and reopen its airports. Cruise ports in Jamaica are also closed, prompting several cruise lines to cancel stops or reroute ships to other islands.

In Cuba and the Bahamas, airports are closed or operating under heavy disruptions, with some airlines offering flexible rebooking options through November 1.

Neighboring countries, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, also experienced significant flooding and landslides, causing additional travel problems.

Flights between Florida and other parts of the Caribbean have been delayed or forced to take longer routes to avoid the storm.

(03:27 p.m. EDT) Further Risks For Jamaicans

From digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford:

Hurricane Melissa has largely moved on from Jamaica, but the threat to residents isn’t done yet.

The highs across Jamaica are largely in the mid to upper 80s at least through the weekend. Combined with the high humidity, heat exhaustion is a major risk as cleanup and recovery are underway.

Drinking plenty of water and wearing light, loose-fitting clothing will help to mitigate some of the risks of heat exhaustion for people on then ground.

Scattered showers are still possible, which is not ideal for the waterlogged nation. Localized bands of rain could still cause flooding as soils remain saturated.

As numerous people are still without power, the National Hurricane Center warns, “ensure generators are properly ventilated and placed outside at least 20 feet away from dwellings and garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.”

(03:04 p.m. EDT) Seasonal Activity Now Above Average

By meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

After a rather slow peak of hurricane season, Hurricane Melissa has ticked this season into the slightly above-average category by one metric.

The metric, called Accumulated Cyclone Energy, measures each storm and the season as a whole by quality and quantity. Longer-lasting storms and those storms that are very strong rack up more ACE.

While Melissa wasn’t particularly long-lasting, it was a Category 5. You can see the red line go nearly vertical at the end on the chart below when Melissa rapidly intensified and then held Category 5 status for 34 hours.

The other places where the line was nearly vertical were Category 5 hurricanes Erin and Humberto in August and September. Nearly 70% of the ACE from this season has come from these three storms.

(02:42 p.m. EDT) Dolphins Ride Out Hurricane In Local Pools

Here’s a heartwarming story out of Jamaica: Several dolphins got to ride out the hurricane at an apartment complex.

As the storm approached, staff at a popular marine park in Ocho Rios temporarily moved the dolphins into residential pools to keep them safe.

Check out our full video here to see the dolphins splashing their way around their temporary home.

(02:19 p.m. EDT) Jamaican Airport Poised To Reopen

Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston has been spared major damage. The Minister of Energy, Telecommunications & Transport reported no issues after aerial and on-site inspections.

Government officials have already received several requests for humanitarian relief flights, and authorities are working to reopen the airport as quickly as possible, potentially even later today.

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay suffered extensive damage, and will remain closed.

(01:56 p.m. EDT) Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Displays Jamaican Colors

From meteorologist Tiffany Savona:

South Florida was showing its support for Jamaica on Tuesday - the iconic guitar at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was glowing in green and yellow as category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica.

(01:32 p.m. EDT) Police Clear Debris In Kingston

From content writer Patrick Griffin:

Jamaican police are working to clear some of the wreckage left behind by Hurricane Melissa.

Police in Kingston used saws and axes to clear fallen trees from the driveway at police headquarters.

(01:11 p.m. EDT) Where Is Melissa Right Now?

Hurricane Melissa is located just off the northern coast of Cuba and has entered the Atlantic Ocean, moving toward the Bahamas. The storm is expected to pass between or over Long Island and Crooked Island later today.

Melissa is now a Category 2 hurricane following its landfall on Cuba. It previously hit Jamaica as a historically strong Category 5.

Damaging winds, flooding rains and a dangerous storm surge are still expected to affect Cuba and the Bahamas throughout the day today.

(12:48 p.m. EDT) Images Of Melissa's Aftermath Are 'Really Devastating'

From senior editor Ron Brackett:

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Jamaica's information minister Dana Morris Dixon, said, "It looks really, really difficult in many parts of Jamaica and it is very difficult. The images we're getting are really devastating. But as always, I've always said it, we're a strong people. We're a resilient people. And we will get through this together.

Morris Dixon gave these updates:

• 77% of the country is without electricity
• The country's water systems held up "quite well."
• Telecommunications are going to take longer to restore.
• A damage estimate will take time, too.

(12:23 p.m. EDT) Utter Devastation At Montego Bay Hotel

Melissa left widespread destruction across popular tourist destination Montego Bay. Video from the Hotel Catalonia shows mangled trees, shredded roofs and debris scattered as far as the eye can see.

One hotel guest posted a sobering reflection to social media: “All I can say is total destruction Jamaica will never be the same.”

(12:04 p.m. EDT) No Official Reports Of Post-Storm Deaths In Jamaica

From senior editor Ron Brackett:

"We are not in a position to speak of any deaths because we have not had any reports of any deaths so far," said Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's minister of local government and community development. "So we cannot presume that there are deaths. ... We are not in a position to make an official statement on deaths because we have not received any such information."

According to the Associated Press, the storm has already been blamed for seven deaths in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica during hurricane preparations, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.

(11:44 a.m. EDT) Additional Deaths Reported

At least 22 people were killed in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, after flooding caused the La Digue River to burst its banks, sending water surging through nearby homes, according to the town’s mayor.

At least 10 people from the area have been reported missing.

(11:22 a.m. EDT) Unthinkable Destruction In Southern Jamaica

This is one of the first visuals we've seen that shows the scope of the widespread damage in Saint Elizabeth Parish in southern Jamaica, closest to where Melissa made landfall:

The destroyed buildings. The defoliation of all the trees as far as you can see. This is what a Category 5 hurricane does to the land and everything that's built on it.

(11:12 a.m. EDT) New Hurricane Warning Issued

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

A hurricane warning has just been issued by the Meteorological Service of Bermuda.

This means hurricane conditions are now expected in Bermuda late Thursday night, and tropical-storm-force winds could move in prior to that Thursday evening.

Bermuda was struck by Category 2 Hurricane Imelda to kick off the month on the night of Oct. 1. A swipe from Melissa late Thursday night could be at roughly the same intensity as Imelda.

(10:57 a.m. EDT) Melissa Leaving Cuba

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

The center of Hurricane Melissa has now emerged off the coast of Cuba into the southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Bands of heavy rain and strong winds will continue over eastern Cuba for a few more hours, but will diminish by late afternoon or evening as Melissa moves away.

Meanwhile, conditions are deteriorating quickly in the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, with bands of heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds at times.

The core of Melissa’s hurricane-force winds appears to be headed toward Acklins and Crooked islands, in the southeast Bahamas, later this afternoon into early this evening.

(10:42 a.m. EDT) US State Department Sending Response To Caribbean

In a post on X, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it is "deploying a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and activated US-based Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to bolster response efforts."

(10:09 a.m. EDT) Cuba's President Reports 'Extensive Damage'

From senior editor Ron Brackett:

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the island has seen "extensive damage" from Melissa.

"It has been a very difficult early morning. Extensive damage, and Hurricane Melissa is still over Cuban territory. I urge our people not to let their guard down, to maintain discipline, and to remain safely sheltered. As soon as conditions allow, we will begin the recovery effort. We are ready," he wrote on X.

"The situation remains under control. We have prepared for the worst-case scenario, and the measures have been effective."

(09:45 a.m. EDT) Thousands Of Tourists Stuck In Jamaica

From senior editor Ron Brackett:

About 25,000 tourists were on the island of Jamaica when Melissa hit.

Dana Morris Dixon, a government minister, said the Ministry of Tourism has indicated that it is coordinating with all the hotels.

“There is no need to worry. The Ministry of Tourism, (which) has its center that is in constant communication with all of the hotels, has been providing support, and so we are keeping those tourists as safe as we possibly can,” she said.

(09:20 a.m. EDT) 'Black River Is Gone'

As I mentioned earlier, the first information we've received out of the town of Black River, Jamaica, was that there was extreme damage in the area that experienced a Category 5 hurricane's eyewall yesterday. We're now seeing more from this area, and it is so devastating.

Black River is the capital of Saint Elizabeth Parish and has about 4,200 residents.

(08:59 a.m. EDT) The Latest From Cuba

As Hurricane Melissa continues to rake across eastern Cuba, there are widespread reports of flash flooding in the areas hit hardest. The National Hurricane Center also warned of life-threatening storm surge along the coast and landslides inland. You can use our maps tracker page to follow the storm as it eventually emerges over open waters and moves toward the Bahamas later today.

(08:32 a.m. EDT) Government Relief Website Launched In Jamaica

Jamaica's government has launched a really informative website that will help hundreds of thousands get what they need in the aftermath of this storm. It's at this link, and on that website, there are resources for residents to find shelters and report missing persons. They're also accepting donations.

(08:21 a.m. EDT) An Update On Jamaica's Largest Airports

From meteorologist Tiffany Savona:

Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, the busiest airport in Jamaica, will remain closed due to damage. However, Norman Manley International Airport, located in the capital city of Kingston, could open for relief efforts as early as Thursday.

(07:58 a.m. EDT) An 'Unprecedented Catastrophe'

From senior editor Ron Brackett:

"Early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island" of Jamaica, Alexander Pendry, the British Red Cross Global Response Manager, says.

"News is already coming through that whole communities are under water and that the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating," Pendry told media organizations Wednesday.

"Tragically, experience tells us that the impact on communities and individuals will be shattering and long lasting. We will be here for as long as people need us."

(07:26 a.m. EDT) Historic Church Destroyed By Melissa

Heartbreaking news out of Black River, Jamaica: It appears that the historic St. John Parish Anglican Church was destroyed by the storm.

The church is reportedly a national heritage site and dates back to 1837, though some say it may actually be 100 years older than that.

(07:00 a.m. EDT) Melissa Moving Away From Jamaica, But Impacts Far From Over

From meteorologist Tiffany Savona:

Catastrophic flooding and landslides will continue across the island of Jamaica today as an additional 3-6 inches of rain is in the forecast. Expect higher amounts in the mountains.

The National Hurricane Center is now concerned about people experiencing heat exhaustion as they clean up across the island. The latest forecast has highs in the mid- to upper 80s and lows near 80 degrees over the next seven days.

Per the NHC: "Jamaica: You may need to remain sheltered after the storm due to downed power lines and flooded areas. Ensure generators are properly ventilated and placed outside at least 20 feet away from dwellings and garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. During clean up, be careful when using chainsaws and power tools. Drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion."

(06:39 a.m. EDT) Melissa’s Category 5 Footprint

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

The map above shows all the segments (in red) of the 45 known Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin over the last 101 years.

Highlighted by the box is the 36-hour-long Cat 5 path of Melissa. According to WPLG-TV hurricane expert Michael Lowry, only four of those previous hurricanes lasted as long or longer at Cat 5 intensity than Melissa. The line for Melissa is shorter than many others, but that's a symptom of how slowly it was moving for much of its Cat 5 journey.

Usually, most Cat 5s only stay at that intensity for less than 24 hours, typically undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle during which the hurricane loses a little intensity, but becomes larger. Melissa didn’t do that, and that will likely be investigated by hurricane researchers.

For more on Category 5 hurricanes, check out our full breakdown.

(06:29 a.m. EDT) More Scenes Of Damage Emerge From Jamaica

Black River, Jamaica

Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica

(06:12 a.m. EDT) Melissa’s Next Stop: The Bahamas

From meteorologist Jennifer Gray:

Melissa is far from over. This major hurricane will continue to unleash fierce winds and torrential rain across Cuba before, yet again, entering the warm Caribbean waters on its path to the Bahamas.

Melissa will bring hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge and flooding rainfall. The southeastern Bahamas could face storm surge as high as 5 to 8 feet; Turks and Caicos could experience storm surge as high as 2 to 4 feet. Rainfall amounts up to a foot are possible across some islands.

(05:56 a.m. EDT) Awful Scenes Out Of Black River, Jamaica

On Jamaica's southwestern coast, the town of Black River bore the eyewall of Hurricane Melissa as it made landfall on Tuesday afternoon. This video shared by the Jamaica Constabulary Force shows the severe damage we feared had happened in the area:

(05:35 a.m. EDT) What We Know About Jamaica So Far

As we mentioned yesterday, it's typical for news to emerge slowly from the hardest-hit areas after a Category 5 landfall. Such is the case in southwestern Jamaica, but here are some things that have been reported by the Associated Press:

- Damage is extensive in parts of southern and southwestern Jamaica

- Four hospitals are among the likely hundreds of damaged structures

- More than half a million customers have lost power

We will keep you updated on any news that emerges from these parts of the island.

(05:22 a.m. EDT) Rain Refuses To Relent Over Haiti

Meanwhile, it is still raining heavily in outer bands over parts of Haiti. It appears to be the eighth day in a row of at least locally heavy rain somewhere in Hispaniola.

(05:00 a.m. EDT) Melissa Makes Landfall In Cuba

We have a second landfall. Melissa came ashore near the city of Chivirico this morning as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph. The storm briefly restrengthened to a Category 4 after emerging in the open waters north of Jamaica but weakened again when it began its interaction with Cuba. Still, it remains a formidable storm and a significant concern for Cuba.