Hurricane Melissa is still a ferocious Category 3 storm, pushing north toward eastern Cuba after tearing through Jamaica with devastating force. Packing brutal winds, relentless rain, and a massive reach, it’s shaping up as one of the region’s most destructive hurricanes in recent memory.

Jamaica has taken the hardest hit so far. Roofs were ripped away, trees flattened, roads submerged, and entire neighborhoods flooded. Emergency crews struggled to reach cut-off communities as conditions spiraled. At least seven deaths have been reported across the Caribbean—three each in Jamaica and Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic—with officials warning the toll may rise.

A national disaster has been declared in Jamaica, where more than half a million people remain without power and essential services are running on generators. Relief efforts are underway, supported by U.S. emergency aid, but damaged roads and schools are slowing recovery.

Now, Cuba is in Melissa’s path. Authorities have evacuated more than 735,000 people and warn of 120-mph winds, up to 25 inches of rain, and dangerous storm surges that could devastate coastal areas. Meanwhile, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are already dealing with flooding, landslides, and outages from the storm’s outer bands.

Forecasters caution that the danger won’t end when the winds die down. Flooding, contaminated water, and unstable infrastructure could threaten lives for days. Officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders and stay informed—recovery will take months and demand international cooperation.