Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba Reel from Hurricane Melissa Devastation

The northern Caribbean is counting its losses after Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the region, tore through Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

The Category 5 hurricane, the strongest ever to make direct landfall on Jamaica, claimed at least 25 lives in Haiti, eight in Jamaica, and one in the Dominican Republic, according to local authorities.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported early Thursday that the hurricane’s eye had begun moving away from the southeastern and central Bahamas, though it was still packing Category 1 winds of up to 155 km/h (100 mph).

In Haiti, over 12,000 people remain in emergency shelters as floodwaters continue to rise. The southern coastal town of Petit-Goâve was among the hardest hit, with 20 deaths reported after a river overflowed, destroying dozens of homes.

In Cuba, more than 735,000 evacuees are slowly returning home as recovery operations continue, aided by the military’s rescue efforts in isolated communities.

Jamaica’s western parishes suffered severe damage, with homes destroyed, trees uprooted, and hospitals flooded. Prime Minister Andrew Holness toured affected areas by helicopter and vowed a “credible and strong” recovery plan.

In the parish of St Elizabeth, resident Sylvester Guthrie described losing his home entirely: “I don’t have a house now… I’m going to need help.”

Power and water supply remain cut off for much of the island’s 2.8 million residents, while emergency teams work to restore services. The Jamaica Public Service company has begun assessing damage, warning citizens to avoid downed power lines.

The United States and United Kingdom have pledged humanitarian support to assist recovery efforts across the affected islands.