Melissa dissipates in Caribbean, 50 dead in its wake

Melissa, one of the strongest storms on record to make landfall in the Caribbean, has begun to dissipate 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. US forecaster AccuWeather estimated $US48 billion to $US52 billion ($A73 billion to $A80 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 deat