‘Catastrophic’ storm continues to wreak havoc in Bahamas, at least 34 dead: Live

Have you been affected by Hurricane Melissa? Contact james.reynolds@independent.co.uk

Government workers and residents are clearing roads to reach isolated communities that have been hit directly by one of the most powerful atlantic Storm on record.

Hurricane Melissa will cause an estimated $48-52 billion in damage and economic loss, US forecaster AccuWeather said in a preliminary assessment on Thursday.

Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, said: “The loss of tourism and business disruption will be felt for years. Extensive work is required to repair or rebuild critical infrastructure from winds, storms, flooding and landslides.”

“In the worst-hit communities, recovery will take many years, even a decade or more. Almost Jamaica’s entire economy has been affected by this storm.”

Stunned residents in southern Jamaica were seen wading through the debris of their homes after Hurricane Melissa lashed the island, causing widespread devastation.

In the town of Lacovia in St. Elizabeth Parish, many people were left without shelter or belongings as flood waters receded.

“I don’t have a home anymore,” said Sylvester Guthrie, a sanitation worker, holding his bicycle – the only possession he managed to save.

“I have land elsewhere that I can rebuild on, but I will need help.”

Authorities say hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed across the region, with many residents appealing for assistance as recovery efforts continue.

The US Embassy in Jamaica said President Donald Trump had authorized an immediate response to Hurricane Melissa, and directed the State Department to mobilize support for affected communities.

It said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had deployed a regional disaster assistance response team, including urban search and rescue teams, to assess needs and provide assistance.

It said Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Ian Fleming International Airport, which serves Ocho Rios, were being reopened Thursday morning.

hurricane Melissa has moved towards Bahamas After hitting Purvi Cuba With devastating winds of up to 120 mph and leaving a trail of destruction Jamaica,

A “dangerous hurricane” is expected to hit the Bahamas on Wednesday night as the National Hurricane Center warned residents to stay safe.

A travel agent from Michigan who was vacationing in Jamaica said he began hiding in a hotel closet after Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island as a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday.

Amanda Tesoff of Highland Township said she initially wasn’t worried about the storm after experiencing Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica last year.

But Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, brought devastating winds and flooding across the island.

“You could feel the walls shaking and it really scared me,” Tessoff told CBS News Detroit. “I was wondering what would happen if this whole building collapsed.”

Tessoff said water was dripping from the walls and seeping through the air conditioning panels, as well as the smell of burning chemicals coming from the room.

About 100 guests at the resort have since been moved to a building, where they still have electricity and are being served hot meals while they await updates on returning home.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica with peak winds of 185 mph (295 kph) before weakening and moving toward Cuba and the Bahamas.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness shared videos of the devastation while conducting an aerial survey of the hardest-hit areas.

“The loss is huge, but we will put all our energy into recovering strongly,” he said.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica at its peak as a Category 5 storm, causing landslides, blown-off roofs, flooded streets and collapsed homes.

Landslides blocked main roads in Santa Cruz in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, where roads turned into mud puddles.

Residents flooded their homes trying to save their belongings. Powerful winds blew off part of the roof of a high school being used as a public shelter.

Melissa hit Jamaica with winds of 185 mph (295 kph) – one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record – before weakening and moving toward Cuba. Even countries outside the storm’s direct path felt its devastating impact.

The UK is supporting Jamaica with £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding after Hurricane Melissa, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes in the country as “truly shocking”.

British experts are also visiting the region to provide coordination and assistance.

The king said on Wednesday he was “deeply concerned” by the destruction and called it a reminder of the “urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of nature.”

Sir Keir told the Commons: “The scenes of devastation emerging from Jamaica are truly shocking.”

Both the Foreign Secretary and I have been in close contact with our Jamaican counterparts in recent days to offer the UK’s full support.

“I can update the House that HMS Trent and specialist rapid deployment teams are already deployed to the region, and we stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance.”

There are about 8,000 Britons in Jamaica, and the FCDO has urged them to register their presence through the government website to receive updates on the storm.

An FCDO official said: “The safety of British citizens is paramount.” We are providing 24-hour consular assistance. “We are in close contact with airlines, travel operators and ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) to ensure they are safe and able to return to the UK as soon as possible.”