A powerful hurricane named Melissa is poised to bring significant destruction this week as it moves through the Caribbean, generating intense winds of 175mph and higher gusts. The storm, which reached the Caribbean on Tuesday with a pressure level similar to Hurricane Katrina, has tragically claimed seven lives, according to authorities. Three fatalities occurred in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where one person is currently missing.
The potential devastation of Melissa has prompted weather forecasters to closely monitor its path as it is expected to make landfall in multiple countries today. The National Hurricane Center (NHC), a US government organization, provided the latest tracking data indicating that the hurricane was approximately 115 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 290 miles northeast of Guantanamo, Cuba this morning. Forecasts suggest that it will reach the southern coast of Jamaica in the coming hours.
Anticipated to hit land in the early hours, the storm is forecasted to cross the island diagonally, entering near St. Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting near St. Ann parish in the north. Ahead of the storm, the government stated that it had taken all necessary precautions, warning of severe damage. Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed concerns, stating that no infrastructure in the area could withstand a Category 5 hurricane.
Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages came in before the storm’s arrival, with officials in Jamaica cautioning that the cleanup and assessment of damage would be slow. A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is expected in southern Jamaica, with particular concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton mentioned relocating patients to higher floors, and the NHC highlighted the imminent catastrophic impact expected in Jamaica. The warning emphasized the potential for total structural failure within the eyewall, especially in elevated areas where wind speeds could be significantly stronger.
Melissa is forecasted to bring substantial rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, ranging from 15 to 30 inches through Wednesday. The NHC also warned of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides due to the heavy rainfall. Additionally, eastern Cuba is expected to experience life-threatening flash flooding and landslides from the storm’s rainfall.
This information is collected through cookies and other identifiers to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and provide personalized advertising. Users can opt-out of data sharing by clicking the designated button on the webpage. Continuing to use the website implies acceptance of cookie usage as described in the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
