Hurricane Melissa, among the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, has weakened to a Category 2 system after striking Cuba as a Category 3 storm, unleashing flooding and storm surges.

The storm’s destructive path left Jamaica reeling from damage after experiencing the strongest hurricane in the island’s history.

Caxton Network News reported earlier today that the National Hurricane Centre said the hurricane could ‘cause life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides’ as it approached Cuba.

The storm has already caused extensive damage to homes, hospitals and schools in southwestern Jamaica, but the full extent of the damage is unclear as areas are difficult to access.

The prime minister, Andrew Holness, declared the country a disaster area yesterday.

At the time of publishing, reports indicated that Melissa had been responsible for seven deaths – three in Jamaica during storm preparations, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

It is reported that Melissa will weaken further as it tracks north-eastward, crossing the Bahamas later today and moving towards Bermuda tomorrow.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.