A dangerous hurricane approaching Jamaica and Cuba is rapidly gaining strength and is projected to escalate to Category 5, the most severe level, before hitting the regions either tonight or early Tuesday, as per forecasts. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) anticipates that Hurricane Melissa will bring devastating flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the area, prompting Jamaican authorities to advise residents to seek shelter in one of the 900 established shelters across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas as a precaution. With maximum sustained winds reaching 140mph (220kph), Hurricane Melissa is set to intensify further as it draws closer to Jamaica.
Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government, expressed concerns about the vulnerable communities facing potential flooding risks, particularly in low-lying areas like Kingston. All international airports have been shut down due to the approaching storm.
The slow-moving Hurricane Melissa has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with several lives lost and others missing. The NHC warned of substantial rainfall ranging from 15 to 30 inches in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized totals exceeding 40 inches.
Eastern Cuba is expected to receive between 10 and 15 inches of rainfall, with some areas seeing up to 20 inches. Authorities are cautioning about the likelihood of severe damage to infrastructure, power outages, and communication disruptions, potentially isolating several communities in Jamaica.
Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s Information Minister, assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands ready to provide assistance, with international partners already pledging support. The forecasted rainfall amounts have raised alarm, with unprecedented numbers being reported.
Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, highlighted the potential risks from Hurricane Melissa, urging residents in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica to prepare for torrential rainfall, flash flooding, power outages, and impassable roads. The situation is deemed potentially catastrophic.
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