Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica, devastated the island nation before moving into eastern Cuba, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
The Category 5 hurricane made landfall in Jamaica with sustained winds of 185 mph, demolishing homes, uprooting trees, and washing out roads.
It was later downgraded to a Category 3 with winds of 120 mph upon hitting Cuba, and further to Category 2 with 105 mph winds as it crossed the island.
Authorities in Jamaica reported at least three deaths, including a baby killed by a falling tree, while Haiti saw 25 deaths from river flooding in Petit-Goâve and three more attributed to the storm.
One death was reported in the Dominican Republic, with another person missing.
In Jamaica, southwestern parish St. Elizabeth was left underwater, with over 500,000 residents without power and damage to hospitals, homes, and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated that some loss of life was expected given the storm's intensity.
In Cuba, around 735,000 people were evacuated, and the storm slammed into Guama near Santiago de Cuba, causing flooding, downed power lines, and collapsed structures.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel noted extensive damage and mobilized recovery efforts, warning residents to stay sheltered.
Parts of Granma province, including Jiguaní, were submerged with over 15 inches of rain.
Melissa weakened as it crossed Cuba's mountains but remained dangerous, heading toward the Bahamas with evacuations ordered in southern areas.
The hurricane is expected to approach Bermuda late Thursday.
Life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, landslides, and heavy rains up to 20 inches threatened the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump offered assistance, with search-and-rescue teams deployed.
Jamaican officials aimed to reopen airports by Thursday for relief supplies.