Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica

Residents recover part of the roof of their damaged houses after Hurricane Melissa struck a neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba on October 29, 2025. A powerful Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba on Wednesday, causing damage and flooding to homes and streets in Santiago de Cuba province, an AFP team on the ground reported. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP) (Photo by YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. The storm made landfall Tuesday in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds reaching 185 miles per hour. Officials say at least 25 people have died across Haiti. In Cuba, officials report collapsed houses and blocked roads, with 735,000 people in shelters. Jamaica faces widespread power outages and communication blackouts. The U.S. is sending rescue teams to assist. Cuban President Miguel D젺-Canel warns of significant damage, urging people not to underestimate the storm’s power. Forecasters expect Melissa to bring dangerous winds, flooding and storm surge to the Bahamas on Wednesday night.