The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has risen to at least 32, as the powerful storm continues to unleash catastrophic damage across the Caribbean, including Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Authorities have described the devastation as “unprecedented,” with entire towns flattened and key infrastructure destroyed.
In Haiti, officials confirmed that 25 people died in Petit-Goâve after a river swollen by Melissa’s torrential rains overflowed its banks. Three more deaths were reported in other parts of the country.
Here’s a comparison of the before & after images of Black River, #StElizabeth, #Jamaica after Hurricane #Melissa.
Images from @vantortech #JAMwx #tropicswx pic.twitter.com/8TakyrQo5C
— Vortix (@VortixWx) October 29, 2025
Jamaica’s Black River Area Severely Hit
In Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Parish, at least four people were confirmed dead, according to police reports. Two were found in the Black River area, and two others near Galleon Beach. Authorities also reported three additional deaths during storm preparations across the island, while one person was killed in the Dominican Republic.
Prime Minister Holness: “The Devastation Is Unprecedented”
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the destruction as “unprecedented,” noting that the storm had wiped out the entire infrastructure of Black River, the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish.
I am now in St Elizabeth and images of destruction are all around.
The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery. pic.twitter.com/s7P31ytXzm— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 29, 2025
During a press briefing after an aerial survey, Holness revealed that 80–90% of roofs between Treasure Beach and Black River were either damaged or completely torn off.
He also reported that critical facilities — including the hospital, courthouse, parish council, and several historic buildings — had been heavily damaged or destroyed.
“The damage is great, but we are going to devote all our energy to mount a strong recovery,” Holness wrote on X.
Cuba and the Bahamas Also Reeling from Hurricane Melissa’s Impact
In Cuba, officials reported significant damage after Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 storm, cutting off communication and access for nearly 140,000 people due to severe flooding and rising river levels.
Although Melissa has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, it continues to produce strong winds, flooding rains, and dangerous storm surges across parts of the Bahamas.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that hazardous conditions may persist through early Thursday, urging residents to remain on alert for further flooding and wind damage.
Summary
- Death toll: At least 32 across the Caribbean
- Hardest hit areas: Haiti’s Petit-Goâve, Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth, and parts of Cuba and the Bahamas
- Hurricane strength: Weakened from Category 3 to Category 1
- Officials’ warning: More flooding and storm surges expected
