Hurricane Melissa intensified into a formidable category 4 hurricane on Sunday, posing a significant threat of catastrophic winds and heavy rainfall across the northern Caribbean. Residents in vulnerable areas of Jamaica have been urged to evacuate, yet some remain steadfast in their decision to stay put. Jamaican officials have activated more than 650 shelters to provide refuge for those in low-lying and flood-prone regions as Melissa rapidly ascends the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, with the potential to escalate to a category 5 storm by Sunday night.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has emphasized the seriousness of this weather threat, stating, “I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself.” As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Melissa was situated approximately 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. The US National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) with the storm moving west at 5 mph.
The hurricane is forecasted to unleash torrential rains, potentially accumulating up to 760 mm (30 inches) on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Certain areas may experience rainfall totals as high as 1,010 mm. Experts warn that this combination of rapid intensification and slow movement could lead to a severe and unprecedented natural disaster.
In its latest updates, the hurricane center indicated that extensive damage to infrastructure, as well as power and communication outages, is expected across Jamaica. Local authorities have already closed Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and stocked warehouses with thousands of food packages for rapid distribution if necessary.
Despite the warnings, some residents of Port Royal, one of Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities, have opted to remain in their homes, disregarding evacuation advice. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie highlighted the area as “of great concern” and urged residents to seek shelter. However, individuals like Ann Marie Chamberlain, 51, expressed their confidence in their preparedness, stating, “Father God will protect us.” Chamberlain believes that their precautions, including securing boats and battening down roofs, will suffice to keep them safe.
She recounted a negative experience from 21 years ago when she sought shelter during a storm, saying, “We went to the shelter, and when we woke up our belongings were gone.” Derrick Powell, 42, shared similar sentiments, stating, “I have never been to a shelter, but residents who have been say they will never go back.” He mentioned their community's resilience, recalling past storms like Hurricane Gilbert and expressing confidence that they are well-prepared.
Following its passage over Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is expected to move towards Cuba by late Tuesday, potentially bringing up to 300 mm of rain. The Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for several provinces, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguin. Tragically, the storm has already resulted in fatalities, claiming at least three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another individual reported missing.
Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the hurricane center, remarked on the increasingly dire situation for regions along the storm's projected path, indicating that the storm’s slow movement could extend its impact for up to four days. In Haiti, reports of rising river levels and flooding have emerged, particularly in Sainte-Suzanne, where a bridge has been destroyed due to breached riverbanks. Local authorities are mobilizing to distribute food kits, yet many residents remain hesitant to leave their homes.
Hurricane Melissa has already caused significant damage, affecting nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and disrupting water supply systems, impacting over half a million people. The storm has downed trees and traffic lights, triggered small landslides, and isolated numerous communities due to floodwaters.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to the southeastern and central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, by early next week. Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically runs from June 1 to November 30. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecast an above-normal season, with predictions of 13 to 18 named storms.
As Hurricane Melissa continues its path across the Caribbean, residents are urged to stay informed and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety amid this escalating natural disaster.
