By Dave Sherwood PORT-AU-PRINCE/KINGSTON/HAVANA (Reuters) -Hurricane Melissa's confirmed death toll climbed to 44 on Thursday, according to official reports, after wreaking destruction across much of the northern Caribbean and picking up speed as it headed toward Bermuda.

Hurricane Melissa is among the strongest hurricanes to have formed in the Atlantic Ocean since records were kept, ranking as one the most powerful storms in terms of both wind strength and pressure.

Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.

It also marks the first time in 20 years that three or more Category 5 hurricanes have developed over the Atlantic Basin in one season. The last time was in 2005, when Hurricanes Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma all reached Category 5—breaking a record.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall Wednesday morning in Cuba as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph.

David Rittich dropped his first game as an Islander, turning aside 27 of 33 shots faced. Brandon Bussi made 26 saves in the win for Carolina. The Islanders have lost three straight games (0-2-1), all on the road. The Islanders record dropped below NHL-.500 for the first time since Oct. 18.

Hurricane Melissa is slamming eastern Cuba on Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, after hammering Jamaica on Tuesday and causing widespread damage.

The hurricane that tore through the Caribbean this week broke records, rapidly intensifying and surprising some meteorologists.