An extremely powerful hurricane, Hurricane Melissa, is on track to hit the Caribbean, specifically Jamaica, causing severe flooding. The storm has rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 145mph (230kph) and a westward movement at 5mph (7kph). Forecasts indicate that Melissa is expected to escalate to a Category 5 hurricane with winds exceeding 157mph (250kph) as it heads northeast towards Jamaica.
By midday Tuesday, Hurricane Melissa is projected to make landfall on Jamaica with wind speeds reaching up to 160mph (257kph), potentially making it one of the most intense hurricanes to strike the Caribbean nation in its history. The last hurricane of such magnitude to hit Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, with winds of 130mph.
The trajectory of Hurricane Melissa suggests it will pass near or over Jamaica before moving towards Cuba and then crossing into the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm is anticipated to bring heavy rainfall of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized areas expecting as much as 40 inches (1 meter) of rain.
As preparations are underway in Jamaica for the approaching hurricane, a live stream video has been established on YouTube to monitor the situation. Situated on Kingston’s Jamaica Street, a prominent area featuring the iconic clock tower, the live stream offers real-time updates on the storm’s impact.
Jamaica is facing multiple threats from Hurricane Melissa, including excessive rainfall leading to flooding, destructive winds, and perilous storm surges. While the storm is forecasted to reach the island early Tuesday, heavy rainfall has already commenced across Jamaica. Residents have been urged by the NHC to seek shelter immediately due to the expected catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and potentially devastating winds.
The persistent heavy rainfall poses significant risks for several days, with potential life-threatening consequences. Meanwhile, Haiti continues to grapple with the aftermath of Melissa’s destructive flooding and landslide hazards.