Caribbean Braces as Hurricane Melissa Causes Widespread Damage

At least seven deaths have been confirmed across the region—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic—though officials warn the toll may rise. Damage assessments remain difficult due to flooding and blocked access routes.

Jamaica’s government declared a national disaster as more than 500,000 residents lost electricity. Hospitals, water systems, and critical services are now relying on generators, raising concerns about prolonged outages and public health risks.