Hurricane Melissa has devastated multiple countries in the Atlantic, hitting Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, and more. On October 30, it is expected to make landfall in Bermuda. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, according to NBC News, over 30 people have been killed across the Caribbean.
After Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds, officials stated on Wednesday that Black River, a town located on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, was among the most severely impacted. Jamaica’s police force said the Black River Hospital was “totally devastated” and all emergency response units were rendered immobile due to flooding. In the same video statement, they said the nearby facility storing relief supplies was wiped out.
That day, Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s education, skills, youth, and information minister, said approximately 77 percent of the country was without electricity.
In Cuba, according to the Associated Press, officials reported destroyed homes and blocked roads on Wednesday. About 735,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm and are in shelters.
To help those affected, we need to support communities in managing climate disasters. There are several Jamaican organizations that are doing relief work:
The government of Jamaica is also taking contributions. Among their immediate needs as of October 27 include bedding, batteries, water purification kits, debris clearance machinery, health supplies, and farming tools.
