Hurricane Melissa Intensifies, Threatens Catastrophic damage to Jamaica adn Beyond
Kingston, jamaica – Hurricane Melissa, packing sustained winds near 300 km/h, is poised to inflict potentially catastrophic damage on Jamaica as it approaches the island nation. Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness has declared a “moment of legitimate concern,” urging citizens to finalize preparations and seek safe shelter. Schools have been closed and public shelters reinforced as residents in coastal cities like Kingston, Port Royal, and Montego Bay fortify homes with sandbags and boarded-up windows.
Meteorologist Estael Sias of MetSul meteorology described the situation as “heartbreaking” and “potentially catastrophic,” warning that Jamaica could experience devastating winds for up to three consecutive days, with rainfall potentially exceeding 1,000 millimeters in the Cordillera Azul mountains. Sias attributes the hurricane’s destructive potential to its compact, symmetrical structure and the warm ocean waters exceeding 30°C, creating a “perfect storm.”
Satellite imagery from NOAA and Colorado State University (CSU/CIRA) shows Melissa’s eye consolidating approximately 190 kilometers south of Kingston. The storm is forecast to traverse Jamaica from southwest to northeast, impacting the entire island before continuing towards Cuba, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos.
Meteorologists are drawing comparisons to hurricane Gilbert, which devastated Jamaica in 1988, suggesting Melissa’s impact could be equal to or greater. Beyond the extreme winds and waves,the risk of widespread landslides is notable,especially in mountainous and densely populated areas. MetSul estimates that communities could be isolated for days, with widespread disruptions to energy and communication networks.
In Haiti, already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis and fragile infrastructure, authorities fear catastrophic flooding and landslides from the anticipated heavy rainfall. Reuters cited local experts warning that “the biggest danger is the rain, not the winds,” highlighting the country’s vulnerability due to deforestation and unstable slopes.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) maintains a high alert for Jamaica, as well as portions of Haiti and Cuba, issuing a stark warning: “Seek shelter now.” The NHC predicts severe infrastructure damage, prolonged power outages, and potential community isolation.
The extent of the devastation remains uncertain, but as the Caribbean braces for Melissa’s full force, authorities agree the question is no longer if damage will occur, but how severe it will be.
