Hurricane Melissa has unleashed its fury on Jamaica and Cuba, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. After making landfall, Melissa is now recognized as one of the most intense tropical cyclones to strike Jamaica in nearly two centuries. With record-breaking winds and extreme rainfall, this hurricane stands out as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.
The ferocious winds and torrential rains caused widespread devastation across Jamaica. Many residents awoke on Wednesday to find themselves without power, with reports indicating that entire neighborhoods were submerged. In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area, granting authorities the ability to issue mandatory evacuation orders for flooded regions and taking measures to prevent price gouging during this critical time.
As the category 5 storm moved diagonally across the island at a slow pace, it inflicted severe damage, particularly in the western regions. Roofs were ripped off buildings, cars were overturned, and trees were uprooted. Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government, described the hurricane as “one of the worst experiences that Jamaica has ever encountered.” He emphasized that “the entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa,” highlighting the widespread impact on the nation’s infrastructure.
Currently, close to 15,000 people are seeking refuge in shelters, and over 530,000 residents are without electricity in a nation of approximately 2.8 million. Alexander Pendry, the global response manager at the British Red Cross, noted that early assessments indicated Melissa was “a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island.” He stressed the urgency of providing aid to affected communities, acknowledging the long-lasting effects this disaster will have on individuals and families.
While Jamaica has borne the brunt of Melissa’s wrath, neighboring Caribbean nations have also faced repercussions. In Haiti, authorities reported at least 10 fatalities due to related flooding. The overflow of the La Digue River in the coastal town of Petit-Goâve swept away several individuals, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the storm.
A category 5 hurricane is classified as the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, characterized by sustained winds exceeding 157 mph (250 km/h). However, the US National Hurricane Center recorded Melissa’s winds at an astonishing 185 mph (298 km/h) upon its impact with Jamaica. Despite being downgraded to a category 3 storm, the hurricane remains a significant threat to Cuba.
Cuba’s President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, reported extensive damage after Melissa made landfall on the southern coast overnight. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and safely sheltered as the storm continued to affect the island. More than 735,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes, particularly in anticipation of catastrophic damage in Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city.
Climate scientists attribute the rapid intensification of Hurricane Melissa, which saw winds increase from 70 mph to 140 mph in just 24 hours, to the ongoing climate crisis. The warming of the world’s oceans, driven by human activity, has led to more severe weather patterns, raising alarms among Caribbean leaders. Many are calling for reparations in the form of aid or debt relief from wealthier, heavily polluting nations to assist tropical island countries facing the brunt of climate change.
As Hurricane Melissa continues its path of destruction, the focus remains on recovery efforts and support for those affected. The impacts of this hurricane will be felt for years to come, serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its consequences on vulnerable regions.
