The evolution of Melissa to post-tropical cyclone This was confirmed after its devastating passage through the Caribbean, where it left a death toll exceeding fifty and extensive damage on several islands. Warnings from National Hurricane Center (NHC) They indicate that it is moving rapidly away from Bermuda and will continue across the North Atlantic as a large and powerful system.
They persist floods and power outages in areas of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, while the NHC warns of significant swells and waves in the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada over the next few days. Also expected heavy rain and gusts specific to the south of the Avalon Peninsula, in Newfoundland.
Evolution and current situation
Following its transition, the system maintains a extensive wind field and an extratropical structure, with a forecast of gradual weakening over the weekend. The NHC emphasizes that, although it no longer retains tropical characteristics, it continues to generate dangerous swells and adverse maritime conditions at a great distance from its center.
Before she degraded, Melissa It made a Category 5 impact in Jamaica.reaching estimated gusts of nearly 300 km/h, and subsequently entered eastern Cuba as a hurricane 3 categoryIn its advance, it hit the Bahamas hard category 1leaving power outages, flooded roads and damage to infrastructure.
Assessment of victims and damages
Official counts bring the provisional total to at least 55 deaths In the region: 19 in Jamaica, 31 in Haiti, 4 in Panama, and 1 in the Dominican Republic, with several people still missing in the worst-affected areas of Haiti. In Cuba, for the moment There are no confirmed victimsalthough the material damage is substantial.
En JamaicaAuthorities declared the island a disaster zone after the impact of an unprecedented hurricane, the worst in decades. critical infrastructureFrom power grids to highways, it suffered widespread damage, and thousands of people remain without services.
En HaitiThe torrential rains caused flash floods and sudden rises in water levels, with entire neighborhoods submerged and landslides in vulnerable areas. The complicated security and access situation makes it difficult to fully assess the damage and provide assistance to those affected.
En CubaThe impact caused homes to collapse, power lines to fall, and large areas to be without electricity; authorities reported around 735.000 evacuees mainly in the eastern provinces. In BahamasIn addition to flooding in coastal areas, there were disruptions to transportation and power outages.
Meteorological factors and climate
The exceptional Melissa's intensity Academic analysis has linked this phenomenon to a warmer ocean and conditions favorable for rapid intensification. A study by Imperial College London It points to the influence of human-caused warming, and the UNFCCC has reiterated the need to accelerate the climate action on all fronts.
Furthermore, it was a system of very slow movement During its most severe phase in the Caribbean, the storm prolonged exposure to torrential rains, extreme winds, and storm surge. This lingering presence over the islands magnified the damage and complicated emergency operations on the ground.
Repercussions in the North Atlantic and monitoring in Europe
The NHC warnings include the risk of waves and undertows Dangerous storms are expected along the northeastern coast of the United States and in Atlantic Canada, as well as in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks and Caicos. Although a progressive weakeningThe swell will continue to spread out to sea over the next few days.
For Spain and the rest of Western Europe, meteorological services do not foresee direct impacts Melissa derivatives. Even so, the North Atlantic remains under surveillance for the possible arrival of very subdued swell in long periods, something common after powerful cyclones that travel through open waters.
Humanitarian response and aid
Regional authorities and international organizations have activated shipments of urgent assistance for the hardest-hit areas, with priority given to water, food, shelter, and the restoration of basic services. Governments in the region have announced support and donations logistics, while civil protection agencies coordinate distribution on the ground.
From Cuba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude for the shows of solidarity received and the humanitarian aid pledged by neighboring countries. In parallel, rescue teams and multilateral entities are working to accelerate the damage assessment and guide reconstruction in Jamaica, Haiti and other islands.
With Melissa now transformed into post-tropical cycloneThe focus shifts to assisting those affected and restoring services, while the system moves away across the North Atlantic and authorities maintain swell and navigation warnings. The combination of rapid intensificationSlow progress and high vulnerability scenarios explain the magnitude of the impact observed in the Caribbean.
