Flooding and landslides from Hurricane Melissa have killed at least 23 people in Haiti as the storm continues to churn across Cuba after devastating Jamaica, officials said Wednesday.
The mayor of Petit-Goâve, a coastal town in southern Haiti, said dozens of homes collapsed after a river overflowed its banks, leaving residents trapped under debris. Thirteen people are missing in Haiti, including 10 near the southern coast.
In Jamaica, more than 25,000 people crowded into shelters after the Category 5 hurricane tore off roofs, destroyed homes and left most of the island without power. At least eight people were killed in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa, officials said Wednesday. In the island’s west, a baby died after a tree fell on a home, according to the Associated Press.
Cuba, still enduring the storm’s heavy rains and winds, reported widespread flooding, damaged buildings, and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, as authorities warned that Melissa could worsen the island’s ongoing economic crisis. No deaths related to Melissa in Cuba have been publicly reported.
Why It Matters
The heartbreaking updates on the damage, death, and destruction from the storm come as Hurricane Melissa's maximum sustained winds remain at 100 mph on Wednesday afternoon. The storm ripped through Jamaica on Tuesday and will continue to wreak havoc across the Caribbean through the end of the week.
Hurricane Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
What Is the Latest Death Toll from Hurricane Melissa?
At least 29 people have died from Hurricane Melissa, including 25 killed when the La Digue river in Haiti burst out of its banks and inundated nearby homes, the AP reported. Some people remain trapped under the rubble.
“I am overwhelmed by the situation," Jean Bertrand Subrème, mayor of the southern Haitian coastal town of Petit-Goâve, told the AP.
One person has died in the Dominican Republic, and at least one person was killed by the storm in Jamaica, though three reportedly were killed during storm preparations.
Photos Show Hurricane Melissa's Devastation in Jamaica
Photos depicting the damage caused by the storm in Jamaica have flooded social media posts and media outlets.
Damage was caused by Category 5 winds, which were strong enough to uproot trees.
Devastating flood damage also occurred, as torrential rain and life-threatening storm surge flooded the island.
Will Hurricane Melissa Hit the U.S.?
Hurricane Melissa will not hit the United States, according to the most recent forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm will run parallel to the East Coast after it exits the Bahamas later this week. Although it will not make direct landfall, the devastating storm could churn up hazardous seas and cause life-threatening rip currents and large waves along the East Coast in the coming days.
What Is Hurricane Melissa's Projected Path Now?
The most recent path from the NHC shows that Hurricane Melissa has exited Cuba. It now takes aim at the Bahamas, which are under hurricane warnings. By Thursday morning, the storm will move into the Atlantic Ocean and head northeast toward Bermuda by Thursday night, remaining at hurricane strength at least into Friday.
Will Hurricane Melissa Hit Puerto Rico? What to Know
Hurricane Melissa did not hit Puerto Rico. The current path of the storm does not impact Puerto Rico.
When Is the 2025 Hurricane Season Over?
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season lasts through November 30. Meteorologists have repeatedly warned people not to let their guard down in the last few weeks, as severe storms can still develop, as evidenced by Hurricane Melissa.
What People Are Saying
NHC in a public advisory about Hurricane Melissa: "Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in Cuba but expected to begin subsiding this afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Haiti today. Hurricane conditions are expected in the southeastern and central Bahamas today. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands today. Hurricane conditions are now expected on Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night with Tropical storm conditions expected earlier on Thursday."
Storm chaser Bryce Shelton told AccuWeather: "There is a lot of flooding around [Mandeville, Jamaica.] There are homes that are submerged, there are cars submerged. It is basically impossible to get out of the city."
Debra Shields, a U.S. tourist visiting Jamaica, told AccuWeather: "We had to just hunker down in our rooms and ride the storm out. We're doing fine, we're all okay."
Shields added, "The sound, I don't think I'll ever forget. The door sounded like it was about to break down. In fact, there's a big crack in the door now because of the wind. It sounded like somebody was grabbing the handle and pushing, trying to get in. It did that for hours. It was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced in my life."
What Happens Next
Hurricane Melissa will continue to tear through the Caribbean through the end of the week. People in affected areas should heed all advice from local officials and monitor storm updates.
Update 10/29/25, 12:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 10/29/25, 6:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.