A powerful hurricane named Melissa is forecasted to bring widespread destruction this week as it moves through the Caribbean, generating intense winds of up to 175mph and even stronger gusts. The storm, which hit the Caribbean on Tuesday with a pressure level similar to Hurricane Katrina, has tragically claimed the lives of seven individuals according to authorities. Three fatalities occurred in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, with another person currently missing in the latter.
Given Melissa’s destructive potential, meteorologists are closely monitoring its path as it is projected to make landfall in several other nations today. As per the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane was situated about 115 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 290 miles away from Guantanamo, Cuba this morning. The system is anticipated to reach Jamaica’s southern coastline in the coming hours.
Forecasters predict that the storm will make landfall early and traverse the island diagonally, entering near St Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting around St Ann parish in the north. Ahead of the storm’s arrival, authorities in Jamaica reported landslides, fallen trees, and numerous power outages. They cautioned that the cleanup and damage assessment process would be slow, with a potentially life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet expected in southern Jamaica, raising concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton mentioned that some patients were relocated to higher floors in anticipation of the storm’s impact. The NHC warned that Jamaica would experience “catastrophic” effects from the storm, with predictions of wind speeds strong enough to cause structural failures in elevated areas. Melissa is also expected to bring heavy rainfall, ranging from 15 to 30 inches in parts of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola by Wednesday.
Additionally, the NHC issued warnings about the potential for flash flooding and landslides due to the anticipated rainfall. Eastern Cuba is also expected to receive significant rainfall, with the possibility of life-threatening flash floods and landslides. The situation remains critical as the region braces for the impact of Hurricane Melissa.