Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest late-season Atlantic hurricanes on record, has carved a destructive path through the eastern Caribbean with sustained winds of 145 mph. The storm has caused catastrophic damage across multiple island nations.
Devastating Impact
The hurricane's powerful winds and storm surge have destroyed homes, infrastructure, and critical services across affected islands. Communications are down in several areas, making it difficult to assess the full scope of damage.
Mobilizing the Response
The American Red Cross has activated disaster response teams and is coordinating with Caribbean Red Cross societies to provide emergency shelter, clean water, and medical supplies.
World Central Kitchen has deployed teams to staging areas in the region and is preparing to begin large-scale meal distribution as soon as conditions allow safe access to affected islands.
Samaritan's Purse is loading cargo planes with emergency relief supplies including tarps, shelter kits, water filtration units, and solar-powered lights for deployment to the hardest-hit areas.
All Hands and Hearts is preparing volunteer teams for the longer-term rebuilding effort that will follow the immediate emergency phase.
Climate Context
Melissa's intensity as a late-October storm has renewed discussion about the role of warming ocean temperatures in fueling more powerful tropical cyclones later in the hurricane season.
Visit our Hurricane Melissa disaster page for all responding organizations.