Hurricane Melissa live updates: At least 40 dead as storm thrashes Bermuda and Caribbean nations assess damage

Islands across the Caribbean left reeling from aftermath of Hurricane Melissa

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Hurricane Melissa is passing to the northwest of Bermuda on Thursday night after tearing through the Caribbean, causing mass destruction and killing at least 40 people.

The devastating storm’s death toll has continued to rise as the hurricane, once a Category 5 storm, wreaks havoc on the region. As Hurricane Melissa passes to the northwest of Bermuda, the island is under a Hurricane Warning.

The storm’s winds are currently at 105 mph, and it’s expected to weaken on Thursday night and into Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. It’s then expected to become a post-tropical low by Friday night.

Authorities in Haiti said at least 30 people, including children, have been killed, according to the Associated Press. At least 19 deaths have also been reported in Jamaica. No casualties have 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.

Hurricane Melissa now a Category 2 storm

Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds as it passes to the northwest of Bermuda.

The storm is expected to weaken later tonight and on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. It’s forecasted to then become a post-tropical low by Friday night.

Katie Hawkinson31 October 2025 02:16

Death toll rises as Hurricane Melissa thrashes Bermuda

Hurricane Melissa’s death toll is rising as authorities assess the damage from the storm.

At least 30 people were killed in Haiti, and at least 19 deaths have been reported in Jamaica, the Associated Press reports.

Katie Hawkinson31 October 2025 02:02

Pictures show devastation in Cuba and Haiti

A man walks amid debris in Boca de Dos Rios village, Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba on Thursday after Hurricane Melissa devastated the region (AFP via Getty Images)A destroyed home is seen in Petit-Goave, Haiti, on Thursday after Hurricane Melissa tore through the area (AFP via Getty Images)A woman walks amid rubble in Petit-Goave, Haiti, on Thursday (AFP via Getty Images)

Katie Hawkinson31 October 2025 01:00

Watch: Drone footage shows scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction on Jamaican fishing village

New drone footage has revealed the scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction in a Jamaican fishing village.

Drone footage shows scale of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction on Jamaican fishing village

Katie Hawkinson31 October 2025 00:30

National Hurricane Center shares latest update on Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa is moving rapidly northeast with 105 mph winds, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 p.m. update on Thursday.

A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for Bermuda.

“On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda tonight and pass south of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night,” the agency said.

Hurricane Melissa is expected to weaken later Thursday night and Friday. It’s then expected to become a post-tropical low by Friday night.

Katie Hawkinson30 October 2025 23:57

Jamaican rapper raises money for Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts

Rapper Sean Paul, best known for his hits “Get Busy” and “Temperature,” shared a post on Instagram asking his followers to donate to a Hurricane Melissa relief fund.

“Right now, my island of Jamaica is going through a really tough time,” Paul wrote. “Hurricane Melissa has caused serious damage, and many of our brothers and sisters are struggling — families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in need of help.”

Paul said he will match every donation, up to $50,000.

“Through the Sean Paul Foundation, we’ve partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to bring relief directly to those affected,” he continued. “I’m asking all my fans, friends, and supporters worldwide, if you can, please give what you can. Every donation counts, no matter how small. Together, we can make a big difference.”

Katie Hawkinson30 October 2025 23:42

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

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