A dangerous hurricane heading towards Jamaica and Cuba is gaining strength and is projected to potentially escalate to Category 5 — the highest classification — before hitting the area either later today or early Tuesday, as per forecasts. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has issued warnings that Hurricane Melissa is likely to result in severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges in the region, prompting Jamaican officials to advise residents to seek refuge in the 900 shelters set up throughout the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has mandated evacuations for Port Royal in Kingston along with six other regions. Hurricane Melissa is presently packing maximum sustained winds of up to 140mph (220kph) and is anticipated to further intensify as it approaches Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, expressed concerns over the vulnerability of many communities to the impending flooding, emphasizing the low-lying nature of Kingston. All international airports are now shuttered due to the storm’s impact.
The slow-moving storm has already resulted in casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The NHC has cautioned that Melissa could bring heavy rainfall ranging from 15 to 30 inches to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized amounts potentially exceeding 40 inches.
Eastern Cuba is expected to receive between 10 to 15 inches of rainfall, with local accumulations possibly reaching up to 20 inches. Authorities are warning of significant damage to infrastructure, potential power and communication disruptions, and the potential isolation of various communities in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, has stated that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands ready to provide assistance, with several international partners pledging their support. She emphasized the unprecedented nature of the projected rainfall amounts.
Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, highlighted the looming threats across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica, urging residents to brace for torrential rainfall, flash floods, power outages, and impassable roads. The impending impacts of Hurricane Melissa are anticipated to be severe.