Powerful Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica, Moves Toward Cuba; Hundreds of Thousands Affected

KINGSTON / SANTIAGO DE CUBA:Hurricane Melissa**, the strongest storm in Jamaica’s history, wreaked havoc across the island before turning toward **Cuba**.

The **Category 4 storm** made landfall near the southwestern town of **New Hope**, with winds reaching **185 mph (295 km/h)** — even stronger than some Category 5 hurricanes. The **Saint Elizabeth region** was completely flooded, and over **500,000 people lost electricity**.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister **Andrew Holness** reported severe damage to **hospitals, homes, commercial buildings, and roads**. While no fatalities have yet been confirmed, authorities fear **potential loss of life**.

According to the **U.S. National Hurricane Center**, Melissa’s wind speeds decreased to **145 mph** as it passed over Jamaica’s mountainous regions. The hurricane is now heading toward **Santiago de Cuba** in eastern Cuba.

Cuban President **Miguel Díaz-Canel** has instructed citizens to **follow evacuation orders**, warning that the storm could cause **widespread destruction**. Around **500,000 people in Cuba** have been relocated to safe shelters.

In Jamaica, **three deaths** were reported during storm preparations, and a disaster coordinator was **hospitalized due to a stroke**. The **World Meteorological Organization** has called Melissa the **“storm of the century”**, noting that its intensity ranks as the **third strongest in the Caribbean** after **Wilma (2005)** and **Gilbert (1988)**.

Prime Minister Holness announced **$33 million in emergency funds** and agricultural recovery measures. Global agencies report that approximately **1.5 million people** have been directly affected by the hurricane.

A local resident described the storm’s fury, saying: *“It roared like a lion — wild, uncontrollable, and terrifying.”*