Residents across Jamaica are urgently preparing for the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa. The powerful storm, now classified as a Category 5 hurricane—the highest level—is expected to bring destructive winds and widespread catastrophic flooding to the Caribbean nation in the coming hours.
The US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed Melissa’s upgrade to Category 5 status early Monday. The storm has already been linked to four fatalities on the island of Hispaniola. Authorities are concerned that Melissa could become the most intense hurricane ever to make landfall in Jamaica.
REUTERS/Octavio JonesThe Jamaican government has issued mandatory evacuation orders for several vulnerable communities in the capital, Kingston, and has declared the entire island to be under threat. The NHC reported that as of Monday morning, Melissa was approximately 130 miles (209km) south-southwest of Kingston, packing maximum sustained winds of 160mph (260km/h). Forecasters anticipate further intensification over the next 12 to 24 hours.
The storm’s slow movement poses a significant risk of extreme rainfall, with forecasts indicating up to 40 inches (100cm) of rain could fall across parts of Jamaica within the next four days. If Melissa maintains its current trajectory, its centre is projected to pass near or directly over Jamaica tonight and into Tuesday, then move across southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night, and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.
REUTERS/Gilbert BellamyDestructive winds and life-threatening storm surges are anticipated to impact Jamaica overnight or early Tuesday. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has mandated immediate evacuations for several at-risk communities. Local authorities are strongly advising residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to relocate to safer locations. According to the Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, all 881 of the island’s shelters are now operational.
REUTERS/Octavio JonesTragically, the hurricane’s heavy rainfall has already caused severe flooding in Haiti, resulting in at least three deaths and inundating hundreds of homes. In the Dominican Republic, located on the eastern part of Hispaniola, one fatality has been reported. The victim was identified as a 79-year-old man who was swept away by floodwaters in the capital, Santo Domingo. A 13-year-old boy is also missing after being caught by strong currents while swimming in the sea. Emergency services have conducted several rescues of individuals trapped in vehicles by the rising floodwaters.