A dangerous hurricane approaching Jamaica and Cuba has strengthened and may escalate to Category 5, the highest level, before arriving either tonight or early Tuesday, according to forecasters.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns that Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to bring severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the area. Jamaican officials have advised residents to evacuate to the 900 shelters established across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other regions on Sunday night.
Currently, Storm Melissa boasts maximum sustained winds of up to 140mph (220kph) and is projected to intensify further as it nears Jamaica.
Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government, expressed concerns, stating, “Many of these communities are at risk from the flooding. Kingston sits at a very low altitude… No area in Kingston is safe from flooding.”
Both international airports have been closed.
The slow-moving storm has already caused at least three fatalities in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with one person still missing.
The NHC has indicated that Melissa could bring between 38cm (15 inches) and 76cm (30 inches) of rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized amounts potentially exceeding one meter (40 inches).
Eastern Cuba is expected to receive between 25cm (10 inches) and 38cm (15 inches) of rainfall, with some areas experiencing up to 51cm (20 inches).
Authorities are cautioning about extensive damage to infrastructure, power and communication blackouts, and the potential isolation of numerous communities in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, mentioned the readiness of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance, with various international partners already pledging their support.
Addressing the upcoming days, Alex DaSilva, the lead hurricane expert at AccuWeather, highlighted the need for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica to prepare for the growing risk of heavy rainfall, flash floods, power disruptions, and road damage due to the potential catastrophic impacts of Melissa.
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