Santiago De Cuba, Oct 30 (AP) People in the northern Caribbean began the arduous task of recovering from the devastation left by Hurricane Melissa on Thursday as the death toll from the powerful storm continued to rise.
The sounds of heavy machinery, chainsaws, and machetes filled the air in southeast Jamaica, where government workers and civilians worked tirelessly to clear roads and reach remote communities struck directly by one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.
Many residents were left in shock, staring at what remained of their homes and possessions. "I don't have a house now," said Sylvester Guthrie, a resident of Lacovia in St. Elizabeth's southern parish, clutching his bicycle, the last of his valued items after the storm. "I have land elsewhere to rebuild on, but I need help," he added. Emergency aid flights began arriving at Jamaica's main international airport, which reopened late Wednesday, delivering water, food, and essential supplies to those in need.
Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz remarked, “The devastation is enormous.”
Countless Jamaicans face homelessness. Sheryl Smith, whose home lost its roof, expressed a mixture of despair and hope, saying, "I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life."
The authorities confirmed at least four fatalities in southwest Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that as much as 90% of roofs in the southwest coastal town of Black River were decimated. “Black River is what you would describe as ground zero,” Holness said. “The people are still grappling with the extent of destruction.”
Over 25,000 individuals remained in shelters on Jamaica's western side, and 77% of the island was still without power.
Death and Flooding in Haiti
Hurricane Melissa also wrought havoc in Haiti, causing severe floods that claimed at least 25 lives, with 18 individuals still missing, especially in the southern region.
In Petit-Goâve, resident Steven Guadard lost his entire family to the storm. "I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old, and another who was about to turn 4," he lamented.
Haiti's Civil Protection Agency reported that the hurricane killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goâve, including 10 children. It damaged over 160 homes and destroyed 80 more. Officials warned about 152 disabled individuals needing urgent food aid in southern Haiti, with more than 11,600 people taking refuge in shelters due to the storm.
"It is a sad moment for the country," said Laurent Saint-Cyr, president of Haiti's transitional presidential council. The government is utilizing all available resources for search and rescue operations and delivering emergency aid.
Slow Recovery in Cuba
In Cuba, efforts commenced to clear roads and highways, utilizing heavy machinery and military assistance to rescue isolated communities at risk of landslides. Fortunately, no lives were lost as the Civil Defence evacuated over 735,000 people from eastern Cuba, who are now gradually returning home.
The province of Santiago de Cuba, especially the iconic town of El Cobre with a population of around 7,000, was severely affected. The town is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, a revered site for Catholics and Santería practitioners.
"We experienced it terribly. So much wind, so much wind. Zinc roofs were torn off, and some houses completely collapsed," said 61-year-old retiree Odalys Ojeda. The Basilica, too, suffered damage. "The carpentry, stained glass, and masonry sustained significant damage," Father Rogelio Dean Puerta noted. “The town was also badly affected. Many people lost their homes and belongings. We need help."
In rural areas outside Santiago de Cuba, residents found their homes flooded when they returned from shelters and tried to save whatever property they had elevated before the storm.
A televised Civil Defence meeting chaired by President Miguel Díaz-Canel did not disclose comprehensive damage estimates. However, reports from affected provinces — Santiago, Granma, Holguín, Guantánamo, and Las Tunas — detailed extensive damage, including downed power lines, impaired telecommunications, and losses of vital crops like bananas, cassava, and coffee. Nonetheless, the rains were beneficial for reservoirs and alleviated a severe drought in eastern Cuba.
Many areas remained without electricity, internet, and telephone service due to destroyed transformers and power lines.
A Historic Storm
When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph) on Tuesday, it matched records for the strongest Atlantic hurricanes at landfall in terms of wind speed and barometric pressure. By the time it reached eastern Cuba early Wednesday, it was still a formidable Category 3 hurricane.
As of Thursday, a hurricane warning persisted for Bermuda. While a warning for the central and southeastern Bahamas was lifted, the US weather agency cautioned that rainfall could reach up to 10 inches (254 millimetres).
Hurricane conditions were predicted to continue into early Thursday in the southeastern Bahamas, where evacuations were conducted.
On Thursday morning, Hurricane Melissa was categorized as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds near 105 mph (169 kph), moving north-northeast at 21 mph (33 kph), according to the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami. The hurricane was centered 295 miles (475 kilometres) northeast of the central Bahamas and 605 miles (974 kilometres) southwest of Bermuda. Melissa was expected to pass near or west of Bermuda late Thursday and possibly strengthen before weakening on Friday. (AP) SKS SKS
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