Jamaica is counting the cost after Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike the island in decades, slammed into its northern coast, crippling vital tourism infrastructure and halting international travel.
Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica with sustained winds of nearly 290 kilometers per hour (180 mph) and a central pressure of 917 millibars, making it the most powerful tropical cyclone ever recorded on the island.
Tropical Storm Melissa is moving slowly toward southwestern Haiti and Jamaica, with forecasts suggesting it could strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Storm Alice has battered Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, causing widespread flash floods, travel chaos, and major disruptions at tourist hubs such as Ibiza, Formentera, and Barcelona.
Tropical Storm Jerry is forecast to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane, posing a looming threat to the Leeward Islands and adjacent Caribbean territories.
The Bahamas is under alert as Tropical Storm Imelda intensifies, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and potential infrastructure damage.