Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba assess destruction as Bermudans prepare for approach of downgraded storm
Hello and welcome to the Hurricane Melissa live blog. I am Tom Ambrose and I will be bringing you all the latest news lines as the storm moves towards Bermuda.
It has already smashed its way through the northern Caribbean and was seen picking up speed as it churned across open ocean towards Bermuda on Thursday, leaving a trail of high winds and destruction from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti in its wake.
People across the Bahamas and nearby Turks and Caicos hunkered down as the passing storm pummelled them with dangerous gusts and rain. Around 700 miles (1,100 km) north-east of the storm’s last position, Bermudans prepared for its approach, expected by the evening, Reuters reported.
Authorities across the region, struggling to keep track of the devastation, confirmed 25 deaths in Haiti – 10 of them children – and four in Jamaica.
