Jamaica and eastern Cuba are reeling after Hurricane Melissa, among the Atlantic's strongest, flattened seaside towns, ripped roofs from schools and left roads gouged and cars sunk in mud. Western Jamaica's St. Elizabeth Parish, where the storm made landfall, was called ground zero; Black River's courthouse, library and historic buildings lay in rubble, with power still out for more than 400,000 and thousands in shelters. Authorities have not confirmed deaths and expect the toll to rise. In Cuba, the UN says about two million people urgently need shelter, food, water and health care, as governments and allies pledge aid.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.