Hurricane Melissa Hits Cuba With Devastating Category 3 Force After Historic Jamaica Impact

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, made a devastating impact as it moved through the Caribbean, hitting Jamaica first on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185 mph, tying the second-highest wind speed recorded in the Atlantic. Jamaica suffered catastrophic damage, including severe impacts on hospitals and housing, with many areas losing power and communications. The storm then made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph, prompting the evacuation of over 700,000 people and causing severe flooding and landslides. While the storm weakened slightly, it remained dangerous and moved faster across Cuba, expected to bring heavy rain, storm surge, and high winds. Melissa is forecasted to continue toward the Bahamas and Bermuda, posing ongoing risks with further flooding and strong winds expected. Recovery efforts are underway in Jamaica and Cuba as officials assess the extensive destruction caused by this powerful hurricane.