Hurricane Melissa has become one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Caribbean. Here’s everything you need to know about the hurricane + how to help impacted people.
The storm brings life-threatening winds, flash flooding, and landslides across Jamaica and neighboring countries. The hurricane’s wind speeds of 185 mph make it the second strongest Atlantic storm to ever make landfall.
Source: NY Times
As of Monday morning, government officials warned of up to 40 inches of rain in parts of Jamaica, likely causing severe flooding and landslides. The island is bracing for widespread power outages and damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure after reports of landslides and fallen trees have already been made.
Source: NBS News + NPR
Southeast Cuba will experience hurricane-force winds from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, along with storm surges up to 11 feet, as much as 25 inches of rain, and a high threat of landslides and dangerous flash flooding. By Wednesday, Hurricane Melissa will impact the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, bringing 4 to 6 feet of storm surge and 5 to 10 inches of rain.
Source: NY Times
As Hurricane Melissa continues to impact Jamaica and neighboring islands, GlobalGiving’s disaster response team is already hearing from several of our long-standing, community-led partners in the region who are beginning to respond. We will share updates as those activities become clearer in the days ahead.
The storm’s impact in Jamaica is especially severe in the country’s “breadbasket,” where much of its agricultural production takes place, threatening jobs, food access, and key export livelihoods. This makes the work of local partners on the ground particularly critical in both immediate relief and long-term recovery. Here are a few examples of organizations positioned to respond:
GlobalGiving has a long history of providing support to our community-based partners in affected communities, including in prior responses such as the Hurricane Milton Relief Fund, Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, Hurricane Beryl Relief Fund, and many more. We stand ready to support our responding partners.
Why? Survivors’ needs vary greatly throughout the life cycle of recovery. Some will require financial support, medical care, and psychological assistance years down the road. You can learn more about the importance of cash donations in this infographic with more practical tips for helping hurricane survivors.
Source: GlobalGiving + USAID Center for International Disaster Information
Featured Photo: Man stands in flooded street in Jamaica by AP NEWS
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