• Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic destruction in Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba.
• Reports indicate at least 30 fatalities in Haiti and 14 in Jamaica, with the death toll expected to rise.
• Jamaica's infrastructure is severely damaged, with over 72% of the population lacking power.
• Cuba managed to evacuate 735,000 residents, with reports of extensive damage but no fatalities.
• Hurricane Melissa continues to threaten Bermuda as it moves north-northeast.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba — Communities across the northern Caribbean are engaged in recovery efforts following the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, which hit land earlier this week, leaving significant damage in Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba. The storm had peaking winds of 185 mph when it made landfall in Jamaica, marking it as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes. On Thursday, residents began clearing debris and assessing the wreckage as machinery and chainsaws echoed in the aftermath, according to latimes and lemonde.

In Jamaica, the government, alongside residents, has been focused on clearing roads to reach isolated communities in the southeastern part of the island which faced the direct hit from the storm. Officials have reported at least 14 fatalities and expect this number to increase due to the storm's massive destruction. More than 13,000 people remain in shelters, with power outages affecting over 72% of the population. As recovery efforts unfold, the Jamaican government is distributing food and essential supplies to those affected, according to npr and lemonde.

Haiti has also suffered greatly, with reports indicating a tragic loss of 30 lives due to the catastrophic flooding triggered by Hurricane Melissa. With at least 15,000 individuals currently residing in shelters, local officials express the expectation that the death toll will continue to swell as recovery progresses. Personal accounts describe profound loss, with one survivor tragically sharing that his entire family perished in the disaster, illustrating the tragic human toll of the storm. The Haitian transitional presidential council has praised the community's resilience while mobilizing resources for further emergency aid, according to latimes and npr.

In Cuba, though the storm's impact was severe, no fatalities were reported, thanks to the evacuation of 735,000 residents prior to Melissa's arrival. Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear blocked roads, although many communities remain without electricity, internet access, or reliable transportation. El Cobre, a town home to roughly 7,000 people and site of the famous Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, reported significant damage, including to its religious site. Officials have indicated that efforts are ongoing to assess and repair infrastructure, with international support being discussed, particularly from the United States, which has expressed readiness to assist in the recovery process, according to lemonde and npr.

As Hurricane Melissa continues its journey northeast, threats remain for Bermuda and the southeastern Bahamas, where evacuations have already taken place to ensure the safety of the populations potentially affected by the storm's path. The U.S. National Hurricane Center notes that Melissa was downgraded to a Category 2 storm but still poses risks as it approaches Bermuda, prompting closures of the international airport and schools in the region, according to latimes, lemonde, and npr.