Hurricane Melissa Strikes Southeastern Bahamas
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, around 5 p.m. local time, as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm brought destructive winds, torrential rain, and dangerous storm surges to the archipelago, prompting authorities to evacuate dozens of residents from the affected areas. Islands set to receive the strongest impact included Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology had issued alerts, warning residents of prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal inundation. Forecasts indicated the potential for storm surges of up to 7 feet (2 meters) in the southeastern Bahamas.
Path of Destruction Across the Caribbean
Prior to reaching the Bahamas, Hurricane Melissa carved a path of widespread devastation across several other Caribbean nations. The storm initially made a historic landfall in Jamaica on October 28 as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph. This made it the strongest storm ever recorded to hit the island. In Jamaica, the impact was catastrophic, with reports of up to 90 percent of roofs destroyed in coastal communities like Black River, and 70 percent of the island experiencing power outages. At least 19 deaths were reported in Jamaica.
Melissa then moved on to Cuba, making landfall as a Category 3 storm with winds of 125 mph, before weakening to a Category 2. Over 735,000 people were evacuated in Cuba ahead of the storm's arrival. The storm also severely impacted Haiti, where at least 25 people died and 18 others were reported missing due to flash floods and landslides. The Dominican Republic also reported two deaths and widespread flooding affecting over 500,000 people.
Response and Ongoing Assessments
The widespread damage across the Caribbean has prompted significant humanitarian efforts. The U.S. Department of State mobilized support, deploying a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team. UN agencies and various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been actively involved in coordinating relief operations, deploying staff, and distributing pre-positioned supplies. These efforts include providing food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and temporary shelter.
As Hurricane Melissa continued its trajectory northeastward towards Bermuda and potentially Newfoundland, Canada, assessments of the full extent of the damage across the affected Caribbean nations were ongoing. The storm has left a trail of destruction, disrupting health systems, damaging infrastructure, and displacing thousands of people across the region.
5 Comments
paracelsus
They mention 'historic' but ignore climate change implications. Missing the bigger picture.
anubis
While it's good to see international aid mobilizing, the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts for these islands will be monumental and require sustained commitment.
paracelsus
The immediate humanitarian response is critical, but this disaster also highlights the deep-seated vulnerabilities and poverty that make these communities so susceptible to natural events.
anubis
Where was the preventative action? Always reacting, never truly prepared.
paracelsus
It's reassuring to see UN agencies and NGOs stepping up, however, the article also makes it clear that local governments need robust, self-sufficient disaster preparedness plans to truly protect their citizens.