Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm, posing a severe threat to Jamaica with potential catastrophic flooding, landslides, and extensive damage. This storm is anticipated to be the most powerful hurricane to hit the island since weather records began in 1851.
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, it has already caused seven fatalities in the northern Caribbean region. The storm is projected to make landfall in Jamaica early Tuesday before moving on to Cuba and then the Bahamas, with no expected impact on the United States.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed deep concern over the impending hardship, stating that he had turned to prayer for his country. By Monday night, Melissa was positioned approximately 245 kilometers southwest of Kingston and 535 kilometers southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. The storm boasted maximum sustained winds of 280 kilometers per hour, moving at a slow pace of four kilometers per hour west-northwestward, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The forecast predicts up to 76 centimeters of rain in eastern Jamaica and 40 centimeters in western Haiti, leading to the potential for “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides,” as cautioned by the hurricane center.
Authorities have issued mandatory evacuations for seven flood-prone communities in Jamaica, with concerns about a storm surge of up to four meters along the coastal areas of Kingston, housing critical infrastructure like the main international airport and power plants. Despite evacuation orders, there is worry that insufficient numbers of people are seeking shelter in the designated locations.
In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Hurricane Melissa has already claimed lives and caused significant damage. The slow-moving storm has resulted in casualties and destruction, prompting evacuations and emergency measures in these countries as well.
As the storm progresses, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of residents in the affected regions, with ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts in place to mitigate the potential impact of Hurricane Melissa.