caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa is stalling — and that’s what makes it dangerous.

The longer it sits over the Caribbean meteorologists say, the more rain it dumps — and the greater the risk it strengthens into a major hurricane.

Forecasts now show Melissa could reach Category 4 strength next week, powered by record-warm waters.

🔺 Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning, with outer winds expected within 24 hours.
🔺 Hurricane watches are up for Jamaica and parts of Haiti, where officials warn of flash floods and deadly mudslides.
🔺 Dominican Republic could also see days of heavy rain.

Right now, Jamaica appears to be in the center of Melissa’s path — and officials are urging residents to prepare early and stay alert as the storm strengthens.

Meteorologists say Melissa is already bringing heavy rain to parts of the Caribbean. Up to 10 inches of rain could fall, with isolated totals topping a foot across southern Haiti, southern Dominican Republic and eastern Jamaica through the weekend, according to CNN.

Jamaica’s two international airports will close in 24 hours as the country sit under a hurrican watch. For now, both the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston are operating as usual.

The bottom line:
Melissa’s slow movement could turn a tropical storm into a catastrophic hurricane, and time is running out to prepare.

CNN

The loved ones of a Bahamian woman killed in Turks and Caicos Island were in utter shock when they learn of her sudden and brutal death.

Her sister Cindy Jarrett is heartbroken.

“I am so broken that my beautiful sister’s life was taken; a hardworking, loving, young lady.”

Forty-seven-year-old Aiesha Williams is originally from Grand Bahama but relocated to TCI some time ago, establishing G&A Juicy Juicy Burgers, a food business with her husband Jevanio Williams who was also tragically killed last year.

Royal Turks and Caicos Island Police Force reported that her lifeless body was discovered in the Blue Hills area on Tuesday, and they were still investigating the circumstances.

TCI local news Magnetic Media reported that she was shot multiple times when an intruder entered the sliding door of her residence.

Her niece Tracey said in a social media post, “My heart is broken Auntie. We lost your husband last year and you survived the shooting. Now this? I’m so confused.”

Tracey is referring to an incident on August 23 when the couple’s truck was fired upon by gunmen, injuring them. Jervanio died two days later in hospital.

Friend Lathoia Douglas now remembers them as “an awesome power couple.”

Relatives told the Tribune they were preparing to travel to the island to find out more about what happened to Williams.

Her death is classified as TCI’s 42nd murder for the year.

Hurricane Beryl turned out to be a powerful storm, killing two people and leaving trails of destruction in southern Jamaica.

Powerlines were down and hundreds of residents were left homeless as Beryl churns toward the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force told NBC News that a 26-year-old man was swept away in floodwaters in Kingston and it is trying to recover another man who too was swept away.

“He was playing football with friends at the mini stadium when the ball went outside, and he attempted to retrieve it,” police said.

Photos credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Caribbean is on high alert as Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in the region causing loss of roofs, extensive storm surges, and damage to buildings.

It increased from a tropical storm to a category four hurricane in just 48 hours which is unusual for this time of year. Experts believe abnormally warm waters are fueling the storm.

Carriacou, Grenada

Barbados

The Southern Grenadines and Union Islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Photo credits: Barbados National News, Ralph Gonsalves FB, NBC Radio St Vincent and the Grenadines FB

As Haiti worsens, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris will press Prime Minister Philip Davis and Caricom to commit to a multinational force to assist the troubled Caribbean nation regain a level of stability.

The big picture

Vice President Harris is the highest ranking US official to visit the Bahamas since Independence.

Daily life in Haiti is marked by widespread violence, with deep political, social and economic stability and its problems seems unsolvable as Haitians seek refuge in other Caribbean countries, the United States and Canada.

It is hoped the multinational force could support the country’s national police in the capital Port-au-Prince where violence is rife and gangs have taken over airports and ports of entry.

Why it matters

The Biden’s adminstration has attempted discussions for a multinational force to be deployed to Haiti since October, opting for Canada to lead the way, put plans faltered because neither reached an agreement on who whould take the lead.

“The worsening security situation requires an international response, which is why the United States strongly support the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti, which the Vice President will make clear to the Caribbean leader,” officials told Miami Herald on Harris’ visit.

“In Nassau, the vice president will reiterate our administration’s support for a multinational force in Haiti,” a senior administration official said. “We’ve made it clear that we believe the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti is worsening and the situation on the ground will not improve without armed security assistance from international partners.

“Any decisions about such a security force would be done in consultation with the Haitian government as well as the UN. Those discussions are still ongoing,” the official added. “We will remain in coordination with partners on next steps to address urgent security needs.”

US Officials said she will announce $50 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was chastised over his visit to the Bahamas to attend the 44^th CARICOM meeting where he was a guest speaker on the deepening crisis in Haiti.

Many Canadians, critical of his leadership, took to social media to express their fury.

“The worst prime minister in the history of Canada,” a user posted on Trudeau’s social media page.

Steve Lavell said, “How about clean up the mess you created here in Canada? Canadians are fed up with you.”

Trudeau won a third term in Canada’s snap election, in 2021, but fell short of regaining the majority in the House of Assembly. Most of his support came from smaller parties.

He and his minority Liberal government then brokered a deal with the left-leaning New Democrats to keep his government in power until 2025.

Canada, not a member of the Caribbean, like the United States, is a regional leader and was prompted by the United Nations, to help ease tensions in Haiti. His attendance at CARICOM suggests his country’s partnership to solve the political, security and humanitarian crisis in the beleaguered country, where extreme violence has further destabilized its society since the assassination of Jovenel Moise in 2021.

A sarcastic Carm Baglieri said, “Enjoy your vacation (in the Bahamas) on our dime. So glad you deserve it, working so hard for us.”

“How much is this one going to cost us?” another asked.

Rob Schultz added, “Resign. Do Canada proud, stay there.”

During his visit at the Caribbean community summit, Trudeau made an additional $12.3 million donation for humanitarian help in Haiti and $10 million dollars to assist the International Office on Migration to protect Haitian women and children along the Dominican borders.

Many Canadians are critical of the move.

“The only reason you were invited is that they know you are going to give them hard-earned Canadian taxpayers’ money.”

Sarah Philips said, “Trudeau wants to waste our money on Haiti. Perhaps he should go there in person and roll up his sleeves and do some actual work on the ground.”

“He runs away from responsibilities in Canada, for praise, while our country falls apart. He is shallow and is afraid to work, and is not smart enough to run a country. He throws our money at other countries so he can have his ego stroked,” Marie Anne said.

Some Canadians determined that Trudeau could have conducted his meeting with CARICOM over a video conferencing application.

“Whatever happened to Zoom meetings?” a social media user asked on Twitter.

Another demanded, “Quit traveling and stay home. Use Zoom.”

Murray Jones said, “There’s a thing called Zoom and it’s less expensive.”

Trudeau returned to Canada late Thursday.

Photo credit: CTV News

Heads of Government from Caribbean nations and regional leaders including John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate change and Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, are in the Bahamas to attend 44th CARICOM meeting where Prime Minister Philip Davis serves as Chair of the Conference.

High on the agenda are discussions on Haiti, migration and food security.

“The turmoil and suffering there (Haiti) continue to worsen,” Davis said at the opening ceremony on Wednesday night. “As a near neighbour, The Bahamas is under great strain, and many other countries in our region are also heavily impacted.”

“We should learn from the failures of past efforts to help, rather than use those disappointments as an excuse for inaction. I pray that we can agree a series of concrete steps to help move towards a solution for the Haitian people, and the region as a whole.”

Since the death of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the poorest country in the Americas is fighting to appoint a new leader, amid an already fragile economic, political and social situation.

Uncertainty among its leadership has the potential to further plunge Haiti into unrest as it grapples to maintain law and order after years of chaos in its streets, widespread gang violence, and inflation.

Claude Joseph has stepped forward as the Interim Prime Minister since the death of Jovenel. He appears to be leading the country through its most trying time in its history, giving updates on the assassination as newly-appointed prime minister Ariel Henry stands in the background.

President Jovenel appointed Joseph as a temporary leader and one day before his death, nominated Henry to replace Joseph.

Joseph told the Associated Press that he had spoken to Henry three times and both agreed that he would be in charge for now.

Joseph said of Henry, “He was actually designated but never took office.

“I was the one who was a prime minister, who was in office. This is what the law and the constitution say.”

However, Henry who was waiting to be sworn in, said in a separate interview with AP, “It’s an exceptional situation. There is a bit of confusion.”

“I am the prime minister in office.”

The  Supreme Court’s chief justice, who would have brought stability to leadership in a time like this, recently died of COVID-19.

Where the Bahamas stands

The killing of the Haitian president has the potential to increase mass migration to the Bahamas, which already has a migration problem from the land of more than 11 million people.

After the assassination, the Dominican Republic which shares a border with Haiti, immediately closed its border.

Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said the Bahamas has strengthened its borders in response to the act, as well.

Haitians, in time past, have reported that they leave the troubled island-nation to escape the extreme poverty and widespread violence, and leave for the Bahamas, which is considered peaceful with a more stable political, social and economic sphere.

It is feared that the assassination and a power struggle among its leaders could leave Haitians scared and result in large numbers fleeing to the Bahamas.

Haitian government must show strong leadership so that the people can feel safe and remain at home.