Hurricane Melissa kills 49 in Caribbean, causes billions of dollars in damage

Hurricane Melissa has killed at least 49 people in the Caribbean, wreaking havoc. The hurricane strengthened as it moved across the North Atlantic near Bermuda.

Haiti did not make a direct hit, but heavy rains caused widespread damage. According to government data, rivers in the southern Haitian town of Petit-Gauve flooded, killing 23 people, including 10 children. At least 30 people are dead and 20 are missing. Heavy rains have damaged many roads, homes and farmland.

Jamaica has also suffered heavy losses. The country's information minister said at least 19 people have died so far. Rescue operations are still underway. The powerful storm has blown off the roofs of hundreds of buildings, knocked out power and reduced many areas to rubble. Jamaica's military has deployed reserve personnel to help with rescue efforts.

Hurricane Melissa is expected to cause between $48 billion and $52 billion in damage in the western Caribbean. Melissa made landfall on the island's southwest coast on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest hurricane in Jamaica's history.

Melissa also hit eastern Cuba, where about 735,000 people were evacuated. No deaths were reported. Crops and homes were damaged.

According to the US National Hurricane Center, the hurricane was about 164 kilometers west of Bermuda at 11 p.m. local time. It was still a Category 2 hurricane at the time, with maximum sustained winds of 161 kilometers per hour.

Although it did not make a direct hit on Bermuda, authorities closed all bridges last night for safety reasons. Schools and ferry services have also been suspended this Friday.