A potentially devastating hurricane, Hurricane Melissa, is on course to hit the Caribbean, especially targeting Jamaica with significant flooding. The storm, now a Category 4 hurricane, has been intensifying in the Caribbean Sea, boasting sustained winds of 145mph (230kph) and a westward movement of 5mph (7kph) as of late Sunday.
Forecasts indicate that Hurricane Melissa is likely to escalate to Category 5 strength by Monday evening, with winds exceeding 157mph (250kph) as it shifts northeast towards Jamaica. By midday Tuesday, Jamaica is expected to face the brunt of the storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 160mph (257kph), potentially making it one of the most severe hurricanes to hit the country in its history.
Notably, the last significant hurricane to impact Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which brought winds of 130mph. The US National Hurricane Center projects that Hurricane Melissa will pass near or over Jamaica before moving on to Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday.
Anticipated consequences of Melissa’s passage include up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rainfall in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with some areas facing the possibility of receiving as much as 40 inches (1 meter) of rain. With Jamaica preparing for the disruptive hurricane, a live stream has been established on YouTube to monitor the situation, particularly in Kingston’s Jamaica Street area, known for its iconic clock tower and bustling traffic.
Jamaica is facing a triple threat from Hurricane Melissa, comprising extreme rainfall leading to flooding, damaging winds, and perilous storm surges. While the storm is expected to make landfall early Tuesday, heavy rains have already begun affecting Jamaica since Sunday. Residents have been urged to seek shelter immediately to avoid the catastrophic and life-threatening flash floods and landslides expected from the storm.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated to persist for several days, posing ongoing life-threatening and potentially catastrophic risks. Meanwhile, Haiti continues to grapple with the aftermath of Melissa’s destructive flooding and landslide risks.