Before the storm barreled north over Cuba, at least seven people died across the Caribbean as the storm approached Jamaica. See the storm's impact on Cuba.

The hurricane made landfall in Cuba on Oct. 29 striking the Guamá area in Santiago de Cuba province as a Category 3 hurricane.

Conditions remain quiet in the tropics, with no activity expected for the next seven days. But don't let your guard down yet.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledges "immediate humanitarian aid" to Cuba as State Department responds to effects of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean.

In the last 25 years, a total of 10 major hurricanes have lashed the island. “Cuba is right in the center of things,” a weather historian said.

The hurricane struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction. More than 60 per cent of the island remains without power, and nearly half of the water systems are offline,

Hurricane Melissa made landfall just after 3 a.m. ET Wednesday in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department had issued a formal Declaration of Humanitarian Assistance for Cuba, where U.S. government aid is rare.

Hurricane Melissa brought hurricane-force gusts to Bermuda overnight and will weaken as it heads north, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Maps show its forecast path.