A dangerous hurricane, named Melissa, is rapidly gaining strength as it moves towards Jamaica and Cuba. Forecasters are warning that it could escalate to a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level, before hitting the land either tonight or early Tuesday.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued alerts about the potentially catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, including severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges in the region. Jamaican authorities have advised residents to evacuate to the 900 shelters set up across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered mandatory evacuations for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas as a precautionary measure.
With maximum sustained winds of 140mph (220kph), Hurricane Melissa is expected to become even more powerful as it approaches Jamaica. Desmond McKenzie, the Minister of Local Government, expressed concerns about the flooding risks, especially in low-lying areas of Kingston.
Both international airports in the region have been closed in preparation for the storm. Melissa has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with further severe weather expected.
Meteorologists predict that Melissa could bring massive rainfall amounts to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, potentially exceeding 40 inches in some areas. Eastern Cuba is also expected to experience heavy rainfall, leading to localized flooding.
Authorities are warning of extensive damage to infrastructure, potential power and communication outages, and isolation of communities in Jamaica. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s Information Minister, mentioned that international assistance is ready to support the affected regions.
Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, emphasized the need for residents in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica to prepare for torrential rainfall, flash floods, power disruptions, and road closures due to Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact.
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