As Hurricane Melissa approaches, people in Jamaica are bracing for its anticipated impact, which is forecast to unleash destructive winds and catastrophic flooding across the Caribbean nation in the coming hours. The storm was officially upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane—the highest classification—by the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) early Monday morning. With its potential to become the strongest hurricane ever to strike Jamaica, authorities are on high alert.
In response to the looming threat, the Jamaican government has issued mandatory evacuations for specific areas of the capital, Kingston, and has classified the entire island as being under threat. An NHC update at 09:00 GMT confirmed that Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 130 miles (209 km) south-southwest of Kingston, with maximum sustained wind speeds reaching 160 mph (260 km/h). Forecasters express concern that the storm could strengthen further within the next 12 to 24 hours.
Forecasts suggest that if Hurricane Melissa maintains its current trajectory, the storm's core is expected to approach or directly impact Jamaica tonight or early Tuesday. Following its passage over Jamaica, the storm is projected to move across southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night and then toward the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday.
The slow-moving nature of Melissa significantly increases the risk of severe rainfall, with the NHC predicting that certain areas in Jamaica could receive up to 40 inches (100 cm) of rain over the next four days. This torrential rainfall, coupled with destructive winds and life-threatening storm surges, poses a grave danger to the population. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered the immediate evacuation of several vulnerable communities to ensure public safety.
Officials have urged residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek shelter in safer locations. Jamaica's Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, confirmed to local media that all 881 shelters across the island are now operational and ready to accommodate those in need.
As Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc on the nearby island of Hispaniola, reports indicate that at least three fatalities have occurred in Haiti due to the storm's torrential rains. In the Dominican Republic, one person—a 79-year-old man—was swept away by floodwaters in the capital, Santo Domingo. Additionally, a 13-year-old boy has been reported missing after being dragged away by strong currents while swimming in the sea. Local emergency services have been actively involved in rescuing individuals trapped in their vehicles by rising floodwaters.
As Hurricane Melissa continues to approach Jamaica, it remains crucial for residents to stay informed and heed the warnings from local authorities. The coming days will be critical as the island faces one of the most powerful storms in recent history.
