Haitian Nation Mourns 3-Day Tragedy: Victims of Devastating Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa has killed at least 58 people across the Caribbean, prompting Haiti's government to declare three days of national mourning starting Monday. The storm caused deadly flooding and landslides throughout the region, with Haiti and Jamaica bearing the heaviest losses.

Haiti's civil protection authorities confirmed at least 30 deaths from flooding and landslides triggered by the hurricane. The government also declared a three-month state of emergency across several regions to coordinate recovery efforts and distribute aid to affected communities.

Jamaica took the full force of Melissa's winds and rain. Official reports show at least 28 people died there, making it one of the deadliest storms to hit the island in recent years. The hurricane also struck Cuba and the Bahamas, though damage reports from those countries are still coming in.

This disaster hits Haiti particularly hard since the country was already struggling with political instability and economic challenges. The three-month emergency declaration gives authorities expanded powers to mobilize resources and coordinate with international aid organizations.

Caribbean nations face increasing pressure from stronger hurricanes as ocean temperatures rise. The region's infrastructure often can't handle the intense rainfall and storm surge that come with these powerful systems, leading to the kind of deadly flooding seen with Melissa.