Hurricane Melissa has been a monster 🌪️ sweeping through the northern Caribbean, leaving nearly 30 people dead and causing massive damage in Jamaica, Haiti and the Bahamas.
Melissa first roared ashore in Jamaica on Tuesday, packing a record-setting 185 mph winds – that's way above Category 5 strength 💨. This made it the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica directly. Kingston's spared the worst, but rural areas like St. Elizabeth saw roofs torn off, power lines down, and homes flattened.
Over 77% of the island is still without electricity, and more than 25,000 people are in emergency shelters. 'It felt like missiles were blowing through the glass,' said a healthcare worker who spent the night caring for patients by flashlight 😰.
Meanwhile in Haiti, heavy rains and flooding in Petit-Goave triggered a river overflow, causing most of the 25 death toll. About 12,000 people had to move into shelters after their homes were flooded. Displaced families, already struggling with economic hardship, are now facing even tougher conditions.
In the Bahamas, officials evacuated nearly 1,500 residents ahead of the storm. Now Category 1, Melissa is moving north-east, heading towards Turks and Caicos and eventually Bermuda, where people are bracing for more rain and wind 🌧️.
AccuWeather warns Melissa is not just powerful but slow-moving – making its impact even more destructive. Recovery will be a long road, with estimates suggesting it could take years and cost tens of billions of dollars.
As climate change fuels more intense storms, communities worldwide are reminded of the need for better disaster preparedness. For the tech-savvy generation here in South and Southeast Asia, staying updated with real-time alerts on your smartphone is crucial. Apps like Windy and NOAA Weather can help you track storms and get localized warnings 📲.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected. Stay safe, stay informed, and let's support relief efforts however we can – from donating to verified charities to sharing reliable updates with friends and family online 🌏💙.
Reference(s):
Death toll mounts to nearly 30 as Hurricane Melissa batters Caribbean
cgtn.com
