Jamaica Prepares for Historic Hurricane Melissa as Catastrophic Storm Approaches
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, forecast to be the strongest storm to strike the island in its recorded history, spanning 174 years. As of Tuesday, the Category 5 hurricane posed a life-threatening danger to the island nation.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported Melissa’s maximum sustained winds at 175 mph (280 kph), moving north-northeast at 2 mph (4 kph). The storm was located approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Kingston and 330 miles (530 kilometers) southwest of guantánamo, Cuba.
Forecasters predict Melissa will make landfall in southern Jamaica near St. Elizabeth parish early Tuesday, traversing diagonally across the island and exiting around St. Ann parish in the north. A potentially devastating storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) is anticipated along Jamaica’s southern coast, raising concerns for hospitals in coastal areas. some patients have been moved from ground floors to higher levels as a precaution.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledged the limitations of Jamaica’s infrastructure to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, stating the primary challenge will be the speed of recovery. Reports of landslides,fallen trees,and power outages began surfacing ahead of the storm’s arrival,with officials anticipating a lengthy cleanup and damage assessment process.
The hurricane has already been linked to seven fatalities across the caribbean: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where one person remains missing.
Beyond Jamaica, Melissa is also threatening Cuba. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguin provinces, with tropical storm warnings for Las Tunas. Up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rainfall are forecast for parts of Cuba, alongside a notable storm surge. Cuban authorities are evacuating over 600,000 people, including residents of Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city.
The forecast indicates Melissa will continue northeast after impacting Cuba, potentially striking the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday evening. Hurricane warnings are in place for the southeastern and central bahamas, and a tropical storm warning has been issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Despite the severity of the threat, Jamaican officials and residents are preparing for the storm. Matthew Samuda, the minister of water and Surroundings, has mobilized over 50 generators for post-storm deployment, while urging citizens to conserve clean water. Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica’s meteorological service, expressed confidence in the nation’s ability to persevere, stating, “We will get through it together.”
