"Melissa Dissipates, Leaves Destruction And At Least 50 Dead In Caribbean" [1]
"KINGSTON/PORT-AU-PRINCE - Melissa, one of the strongest storms on record to make landfall in the Caribbean, began to dissipate on Friday after sowing devastation across much of Jamaica, cutting off communities in Cuba, drenching Haiti and leaving at least 50 dead.
Melissa was the most powerful storm ever to directly hit Jamaica, and the first major hurricane to do so since 1988. U.S. forecaster AccuWeather estimated $48 billion to $52 billion in damage and economic loss across the western Caribbean.
Melissa pounded southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, well above minimum wind speeds for the strongest hurricane classification, and devastated many areas already battered by last year’s Hurricane Beryl.
Jamaica’s information minister confirmed at least 19 deaths on Friday but said there were indications more bodies would be recovered. Some 462,000 people remain without power and emergency food distributions have started, she said."