With Hurricane Melissa raking Cuba’s eastern shores, 750,000 people have evacuated and widespread blackouts deepen what the president called a “very difficult night.” The storm, among the Atlantic’s strongest and the most powerful ever to strike Jamaica, earlier tore across the island with 185 m.p.h. winds, shredding roofs, washing boats ashore and crippling communications as officials reported catastrophic damage. Jamaica’s prime minister declared a disaster area, at least three hospitals were damaged by flooding, and some areas were under water. Aid is constrained by budget cuts; U.N. supplies in Barbados await delivery when airports reopen.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.