Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, has made landfall in Cuba after leaving Jamaica in ruins as a declared “disaster area.” The catastrophic storm represents the most intense tropical cyclone to strike Jamaica in nearly 200 years, bringing devastating winds and torrential rainfall that have shattered communities across the Caribbean island nation.

The Red Cross is warning of “shattering and long-lasting” impacts from the historic hurricane, while Cuba’s president has already reported “extensive damage” as Melissa continues its destructive path. The storm’s unprecedented strength has overwhelmed emergency response capabilities and left thousands of residents across both islands facing life-threatening conditions.

Climate scientists point to human-caused global warming as a key factor behind Melissa’s explosive intensification, part of a disturbing trend that’s making modern hurricanes more dangerous and unpredictable. Rising ocean temperatures provide additional energy for storms to rapidly strengthen, creating monsters like Melissa that can catch even well-prepared communities off guard.

As rescue operations begin in Jamaica and Cuba braces for the storm’s full impact, the disaster underscores the growing threat that supercharged hurricanes pose to vulnerable Caribbean nations. The region, which contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, continues to bear the brunt of climate change’s most severe consequences. Recovery efforts are expected to take months, if not years, particularly in Jamaica where entire communities have been reduced to rubble by Melissa’s historic fury.