Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 storm and is nearing Jamaica, posing a significant threat of severe flooding, landslides, and extensive destruction. This level of intensity would mark the most powerful hurricane to hit the island since records began in 1851.
Already causing seven fatalities in the northern Caribbean as it approaches Jamaica, Melissa is projected to make landfall early Tuesday on the island before moving on to Cuba later in the day and then heading towards the Bahamas. The storm’s trajectory does not currently pose a threat to the United States.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed concerns about the impending impact on the country, stating, “I have been on my knees in prayer.” As of Monday evening, Melissa was positioned approximately 245 kilometers southwest of Kingston and 535 kilometers southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba, with sustained winds of 280 kilometers per hour and a west-northwest movement at four kilometers per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Parts of eastern Jamaica could experience up to 76 centimeters of rainfall, while western Haiti may see 40 centimeters, leading to the potential for “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides,” as warned by the hurricane center.
Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for seven flood-prone communities in Jamaica, with transportation provided to safe shelters. Despite these efforts, concerns lingered as fewer than 1,000 individuals sought refuge in over 130 shelters open across the island, raising worries about preparedness for a Category 5 hurricane.
The storm has already claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with fatalities reported in Jamaica as well. The slow-moving hurricane is expected to hit eastern Cuba after Jamaica, with significant rainfall and a notable storm surge forecasted for various provinces.
Cleanup and damage assessment post-Melissa are expected to be challenging due to anticipated landslides, flooding, and blocked roads. The last Category 4 or higher storm to make landfall in Jamaica was 174 years ago, with Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 being the most recent significant hurricane impact on the island.
Melissa’s impact has also been felt in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with significant damage to homes and agriculture reported in both countries. The storm is anticipated to continue drenching southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic in the coming days with heavy rainfall.