Forming over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 storm before heading toward the southwestern region of Jamaica. It hit the island on October 28 and was recorded to be the most severe storm Jamaica has experienced in known history. 12 hours later, Cuba felt the remaining force of the hurricane.
Although the hurricane mostly hit Jamaica, it also had a great impact on other Caribbean countries such as Bermuda, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Winds reached up to 185 miles per hour, accompanied by torrential rainfall, storm surge, landslides, and flooding. In addition, widespread power outages, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and a shortage of clean food and water have caused a humanitarian crisis in some areas. As of early November, the confirmed death toll of Hurricane Melissa is at least 75 people, with 32 deaths in Jamaica and 43 in Haiti. The number is expected to rise as recovery and verification efforts continue, with others in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
Climate change also played a major role in the intensity of Hurricane Melissa, and its influence on tropical cyclones is much more complex compared to other extreme weather events. In particular, the rising sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic fueled the development of Hurricane Melissa. The storm moved very slowly across the Caribbean, which allowed the storm to gather immense destructive energy over very warm ocean waters.
The hurricane’s destruction has led to widespread health issues across the Caribbean. In Haiti, health authorities are warning of a possible cholera surge due to the hurricane. Cholera, a bacterial infection caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water, has already spiked in Haitian neighborhoods like Pétion-Ville and Gran Gosier.
Hurricane Melissa has also severely damaged hospitals, making it difficult to access any health centers for any reason. In Jamaica, more than 16 tons of requested medical aid arrived through a Direct Relief chartered Boeing 757 flight, with a value of more than 1 million dollars worth of medicines and supplies. This includes diabetes medicines, antibiotics, first aid items, and water purification tablets.
Here in Concord, Verrill Farm has organized a GoFundMe campaign to support their Jamaican farm workers, who have been severely impacted by the hurricane. Some of them are continuing their hard work, while others have begun their journey back home, but all of them are confronted with hardship and uncertainty. Members of the Concord Academy community can get involved by contributing to the fundraiser to help provide financial assistance and support for these workers, ensuring that they have the resources and stability they need.