Hurricane Melissa, which has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, continues its destructive path after devastating Jamaica and Cuba, now heading toward the Bahamas.
At least 30 people have been killed — 25 in Haiti, four in Jamaica, and one in Dominica. In the Bahamas, authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents in the southern regions as the storm approaches.
Nearly 700,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations in Cuba, where power outages and blocked roads have been reported across affected areas.
In Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth has been submerged, leaving more than half a million people without electricity. The hurricane’s fierce winds, torrential rains, and landslides have caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency across the country and appealed for international assistance.
Meanwhile, the United States has established a special task force to coordinate relief efforts in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa.