Hurricane Melissa Poised to Strike Jamaica with Catastrophic Force
Jamaica – Hurricane Melissa, currently the strongest storm on Earth this year, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica later today, bringing with it life-threatening hurricane-force winds, torrential rainfall, and dangerous storm surge. The Category 5 hurricane currently packs sustained winds of 175mph (282km/h) with higher gusts and a central pressure of 901 millibars.
The slow-moving storm, currently traveling at 2mph (3.2km/h) in a north-easterly direction, poses an immediate and severe threat to Jamaica and, afterward, Haiti and Cuba. Jamaica is already experiencing tropical storm conditions as the eyewall remains south of the island. This event marks a critical moment for disaster preparedness in the caribbean, with potential for widespread devastation and significant humanitarian impact.
The National Hurricane Center forecasts 15 to 30 inches of rainfall for Jamaica, alongside a storm surge of up to 13ft near the expected landfall location on the south coast. The north-west coast, near Montego Bay, could see a surge of 2ft to 4ft. Landslides and catastrophic flooding are anticipated. Haiti is expected to begin experiencing tropical storm conditions later today, with projected rainfall totals of 6-12 inches.
Melissa is then forecast to move northwards and make a second landfall in south-eastern Cuba, still as a major hurricane. Swells generated by the storm are already impacting hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. These swells are expected to reach the Bahamas,the Turks and Caicos Islands,and Bermuda later this week.
