Disaster Strikes:
- Category 5 Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica and parts of the Caribbean.
- U.S. deploys FEMA, military airlifts, and search-and-rescue teams for relief.
- Hundreds of thousands without power; emergency shelters open.
The Storm’s Toll:
Hurricane Melissa made historic landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 5, wreaking havoc with torrential rain, deadly winds, and widespread flooding. Officials reported the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to hit the island, triggering mass evacuations and damage assessment delays. As the storm moved toward Cuba and the Bahamas, shelters filled, power lines toppled, and entire communities braced for continued flooding and landslides.
Why It Matters:
The U.S. response included FEMA deployments and military assistance for affected nations. Humanitarian teams rushed essential food and water supplies, while the State Department initiated urgent search-and-rescue operations in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Haiti. Environmental experts highlighted climate change’s suspected role in intensifying disasters, urging broader global relief and resilience efforts.
Wider Impact:
Melissa’s catastrophic impact could bring a lasting humanitarian crisis, with infrastructure, agriculture, and basic services disrupted across the Caribbean. As U.S. relief efforts stabilize hard-hit areas, long-term rebuilding and climate resilience will be central to the recovery.
Takeaway:
America’s swift mobilization highlights international cooperation in disaster relief—and calls attention to the mounting risks of extreme weather events.
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