What we know
- Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to ever form in the Caribbean, is due to hit Bermuda tonight or early tomorrow after causing devastation in Jamaica and Cuba.
- Melissa is now a Category 2 storm with sustained winds over 100 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. It has significantly weakened since Tuesday, when it slammed into Jamaica as a historic Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph.
- At least 36 people have died from the storm in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- The southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are expected to receive 10 inches of rain over the course of the storm, while Hispaniola — which comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic — is set to receive 40 inches total.
- Complex and difficult humanitarian operations are underway in Jamaica and Cuba, with the U.S. government and nonprofits among those distributing vital aid.
Americans staying in Jamaica felt 'helpless' as Melissa pummeled island
Jodie Long of Baker, West Virginia, was staying at a resort 20 minutes from Montego Bay when Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean island Tuesday.
She described feeling "pretty helpless" as the storm pummeled the resort and triggered flooding in her room, broke glass and ripped solar panels from the roof.
Long was supposed to fly out Monday morning, but the flight was canceled because of Melissa. Instead, she and her husband were forced to wait out the worst.
“You just had to hunker down, barricaded our windows with the mattress and the couch and just kind of stayed. They told us to take cover in our bathroom. We stayed in the living room area. My husband was against the window and felt a pop that actually knocked our door from the frame. So it got pretty intense,” she said.
The days following were also challenging.
“We lost power. We were on a generator. We had no AC ... and so we literally took off for Kingston today with no flight booked, nothing. We just knew we needed to get out of there,” she said.
Today they’re at the airport, where they secured a flight for tomorrow.
Bermuda braces for Melissa
Key roads, the airport and schools will be closed in Bermuda as Hurricane Melissa draws near.
The government of Bermuda said the Causeway — narrow roads and bridges that connect Bermuda’s main island to the airport — will close at 10 p.m. local time. L.F. Wade International Airport will close at 6 p.m. and reopen at noon tomorrow.
All schools will be closed tomorrow, and government offices will shutter until 1 p.m. The final bus routes will depart at 7 o’clock tonight, and all ferry routes will be canceled tomorrow.
A government shelter at CedarBridge will open at 7 o’clock tonight for those in need of shelter.
“Until the official 'All Clear' is issued, residents are urged to stay off the roads so Government work crews can safely assess and clear debris,” the government said, adding that a public update will be issued tomorrow morning.
Jamaicans survey destruction in Black River
Pamella Foster stands amid debris in Black River today.
Davia Banton stands in front of a destroyed building in Black River today.
Jamaican woman hasn't heard from brother since Monday
Kimberley Dunkley Watkins said she hasn't heard from her younger brother who lives in Montego Bay, Jamaica, since Monday evening.
"It's probably one of the worst experiences of my life, and I lived through Hurricane Gilbert," she said. "So it's rough."
Watkins said she believes she can't get in touch with her brother because power is out in much of the country. Jamaican officials said earlier that more than 70% of the country remains without power.
Watkins was returning to Jamaica from Miami after having been unable to return home from a work trip in the Bahamas. Her two young children and her husband endured the hurricane from their home in Kingston.
Conditions in Bermuda will 'rapidly deteriorate,' NHC says
Conditions in Bermuda will "rapidly deteriorate" later today, the National Hurricane Center said in its 2 p.m. ET update.
The NHC said that maximum sustained winds "remain near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts" and that "little change in strength is expected today."
It added that an inch of rain is expected through tonight and that coastal flooding is possible because of projected storm surge.
Photos: Residents brave floodwaters in Haiti
With rain still falling, residents waded through floodwaters in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, today.
Jamaica death toll climbs to 9
The Jamaica Constabulary Force told NBC News today that there are nine storm-related deaths in Jamaica, up from the previously reported seven.
Hurricane Melissa is also responsible for at least 26 deaths in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, according to officials.
Jamaican official warns about fraudulent charity websites
Andrew Wheatley, Jamaica's minister of science, energy and technology, warned the public about the "emergence of fraudulent websites attempting to exploit generosity in the week of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica."
Wheatley said at a news conference that the government identified at least 28 websites trying to divert contributions away from legitimate sources.
"While Jamaica and the government tries to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, we have some unscrupulous players, not necessarily within Jamaica but worldwide, trying to take this advantage of the situation," he said.
Bermuda government warns residents of coming storm
Bermuda's government warned its residents of the coming storm today.
In a Facebook statement, the government said Hurricane Melissa is expected to pass "approximately 112 nautical miles northwest of the island around 1 a.m. Friday, October 31."
It added that "hazardous conditions, including dangerous seas (up to 35ft outside the reef), heavy rain, and the risk of isolated thunder and funnel clouds are expected tonight." And although Melissa has weakened, the government warned that winds are expected to exceed 100 mph.
"Residents are strongly urged to complete all hurricane preparations by this afternoon, stay off the roads once conditions worsen, and remain indoors until authorities confirm it is safe to move about," the statement said.
Storm washed away major water system in western Jamaica, official says
A major water system in western Jamaica was dislodged and washed away in the storm, Jamaican Water Minister Matthew Samuda said at the news conference.
The water system was in St. James and Hanover, areas ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, Samuda said.
"The larger issue that we face, as you can imagine, is in western Jamaica. I start first with the northwest, something that we hadn't contemplated, or certainly had hoped wouldn't happen, has indeed occurred," he said.
Samuda said the water system serves "about 35 to 40% of St. James and most of Hanover."
