Islands across the Caribbean left reeling from aftermath of Hurricane Melissa
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Hurricane Melissa tore through the northern Caribbean and was picking up speed as it churned toward Bermuda Thursday after causing mass destruction and killing at least 34 people across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.
The devastating storm’s death toll has continued to rise as the hurricane, once a Category 5 storm, continues to weaken while unleashing heavy rains and hurricane conditions over the Bahamas. Melissa was forecast to pass near the northwest of Bermuda late Thursday, bringing gusty winds and destruction, before weakening on Friday.
Authorities in Haiti said at least 25 people, including 10 children, have been killed. In Jamaica, eight deaths have been confirmed, while one fatality has been reported in the Dominican Republic, bringing the current known death toll across the Caribbean to 34. No casualties had been reported in Cuba, but the island has suffered widespread destruction.
The storm was the Caribbean’s third-most intense hurricane on record, as well as its slowest-moving, which made for even greater devastation from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti.
The U.S. said it would deploy disaster response teams to the Caribbean to help those affected by Melissa.
Canada offers $7 million in humanitarian aid for Caribbean states impacted by Hurricane Melissa
The Canadian Parliament member overseeing foreign aid announced the country would provide $7 million in humanitarian aid to Caribbean nations impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, said $5 million would go to emergency response, while $2 million would go to the United Nations World Food Program, CBC reported.
Canada is also prepared to deploy relief supplies from its emergency stockpile through the Red Cross, if requested by countries, Sarai added.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 23:00
Tourists stuck in Jamaica all accounted for
All 25,000 international tourists visiting Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday, devastating the island, have been accounted for.
These visitors should be able to leave the island nation within a matter of days, according to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister.
The announcement comes as the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston reopened for commercial flights Thursday morning.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 22:30
U.S. officials warn Americans against falling for scams after hurricane
The U.S. Better Business Bureau has issued warnings about scams targeting residents and donors in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
“Scanners often exploit the chaos and emotions surrounding natural disasters to steal money or personal information,” the agency said.
The agency is warning people to be careful of fake charities, AI-generated scams and crowdfunding scams.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 22:00
More than 700,000 children across Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa: UNICEF
Over 700,000 children across the Caribbean have been affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to UNICEF.
The storm, which hit Jamaica and Cuba directly and impacted Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has completely uprooted the lives of thousands of children.
“In the wake of relentless floods across the Caribbean, hundreds of thousands of children have seen their lives upended suddenly,” said Roberto Benes, the agency’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Children urgently need food, safe drinking water and sanitation, access to health and nutrition services and a path back to education.”
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 21:30
More than 13,000 people in shelters in Jamaica
Over 13,000 people remained crowded in shelters in Jamaica on Thursday, as over 70 percent of the island was without power and only 35 percent of mobile phone sites in operation.
“We understand the frustration, we understand your anxiety, but we ask for your patience,” said Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s telecommunications and energy minister.
Water trucks have been mobilized to serve some of Jamaica’s rural communities that are not connected to the government’s utility system, Water Minister Matthew Samuda said.
With reporting by the Associated Press.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 21:00
Jamaican woman hasn’t heard from brother since Monday
Kimberly Dunkley Watkins says she hasn’t heard from her little brother since Monday, as over 70 percent of Jamaica remains without power.
“It’s probably one of the worst experiences of my life and I lived through Hurricane Gilbert,” she told NBC News. “So, it’s rough.”
Watkins was returning to Jamaica from Miami after being unable to go home after a work trip in the Bahamas.
She told the outlet her two young children and husband endured the storm from their home in Kingston, Jamaica.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 20:30
Conditions in Bermuda to ‘rapidly deteriorate’ as Hurricane Melissa passes
The National Hurricane Center forecasted that weather conditions in Bermuda would “rapidly deteriorate” Thursday afternoon into the evening as Hurricane Melissa passes by to the northwest of the island.
The Category 2 storm is expected to maintain that strength as it moves past the island.
The hurricane center said sustained winds “remain near 105 mph with higher gusts” and that “little change in strength is expected.”
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 20:00
Public urged to be wary of crocodiles after flooding in Jamaica
Officials are urging residents in Jamaica to exercise extreme caution in areas near swamps, as flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa has likely displaced crocodiles.
The National Environment and Planning Agency said the heavy rain caused by the hurricane has likely pushed the potentially dangerous reptiles out of their original habitats, according to the Jamaica Observer.
People are also cautioned against feeding the animal or attempting to capture them.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 19:31
Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs says he has been in contact with U.S. State Department
Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossio, wrote on X that they had been in contact with the Trump administration about receiving aid.
He wrote on X in Spanish, “Following public communications today regarding the damages from the hurricane, we have been in contact with the State Department and are awaiting clarification on how and in what way they are willing to assist.”
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 19:00
No reports of death or injuries in Bahamas
There were no initial reports of deaths or injuries in the Bahamas following Hurricane Melissa, which passed over the islands on Wednesday as a Category 1 storm.
Residents were evacuated to the capital, Nassau, ahead of the storm.
However, Melissa tracked over the central Bahamian islands, which were not evacuated.
Isabel Keane30 October 2025 18:33
