Hurricane Melissa devastates Cuba after turning Jamaica into a "disaster zone"

Being a category 5 tropical cyclone, Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage in Jamaica and Cuba, being the most intense cyclone to hit Jamaica in nearly two centuries. The damage is massive, with strong gusts and flooding leaving nearly 15,000 people in shelters and over 530,000 without electricity. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the area a disaster zone, granting authorities additional powers for evacuations.

In Haiti, the hurricane resulted in the deaths of 30 people due to flooding. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel reported extensive damage on the southern coast of the country, urging the population to remain in shelters. The hurricane continues to move towards the Bahamas, and its impact is considered devastating and long-lasting.