Friday, October 24, 2025-Tropical Storm Melissa continues to churn across the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction and grief in its path. The storm, which formed earlier this week off the Lesser Antilles, made landfall in southern Haiti on Thursday, bringing heavy rains, flooding, and powerful winds that toppled trees and washed away homes.
Authorities confirmed the death of an elderly man in the city of Les Cayes after flash floods swept through his neighborhood, marking the first fatality linked to the storm. Meteorologists warn that Melissa’s slow movement could intensify flooding across Hispaniola and parts of eastern Cuba over the next 48 hours.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of sympathy and frustration among Haitians already weary from repeated natural disasters. Local officials say emergency response teams are stretched thin as they attempt to rescue families trapped in rising waters.
Social media videos show residents wading through waist-deep floods, carrying children and salvaging what little they can. Aid groups have begun mobilizing relief efforts, but damaged roads and power outages have slowed progress. Many in Haiti are calling on the government and international partners to act faster to prevent another humanitarian crisis.
As Melissa moves northward, forecasters predict it will strengthen slightly before veering toward the Bahamas, where coastal evacuations are already underway. Regional governments are urging vigilance as the storm’s unpredictable path complicates preparation efforts.
The latest disaster serves as a grim reminder of the Caribbean’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather fueled by climate change. For the people of Haiti, still rebuilding from past storms, Melissa is yet another cruel chapter in a cycle of loss and resilience.
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