Hurricane Melissa leaves 49 dead in Caribbean, churns north

Hurricane Melissa’s confirmed death toll climbed to 49 on Thursday, according to official reports, after wreaking destruction across much of the northern Caribbean and picking up speed as it headed past Bermuda in the North Atlantic.

Authorities in Haiti, which was not directly hit but suffered days of torrential rains from the slow-moving storm, reported at least 30 deaths and 20 more missing. At least 23 people, including 10 children, died in the southern town of Petit-Goave when a river burst its banks. Roads, houses, and farmlands were also damaged by the rains.

In Jamaica, Information Minister confirmed at least 19 deaths, with search and rescue efforts still underway. The storm left hundreds of thousands without power, ripped roofs off buildings, and scattered fields with debris. J