Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm of unprecedented strength, is rapidly approaching Jamaica, threatening the island with catastrophic winds and heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued an advisory at 5 AM EDT, forecasting the storm to make landfall by midday. Melissa is expected to bring destructive winds of up to 175 mph and up to 30 inches of rain.
The storm, which is being described as the strongest ever recorded in the region, has already claimed at least seven lives across the Caribbean—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, according to The Independent. With the storm intensifying, officials fear the death toll could climb further as flooding becomes more severe.
“Conditions are deteriorating rapidly,” the NHC warned in its latest update, predicting catastrophic winds, flash floods, and life-threatening storm surges throughout Jamaica.
Jamaica Prepares for Impact
Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to take immediate precautions, revealing that he had been praying for the nation’s safety. "Please prepare your evacuation plans and follow the evacuation orders," he said during a televised address. Holness particularly advised residents in low-lying areas to seek shelter.
Desmond McKenzie, the local government minister, confirmed that parts of Kingston are already submerged under floodwaters. "Kingston is very low, extremely low," he cautioned. "No area in Kingston is immune from flooding."
The Jamaican government has declared a state of emergency, and coastal communities have been ordered to evacuate. In response to the severe weather, major airports in Kingston and Montego Bay have suspended operations as hurricane-force winds extend nearly 30 miles from the storm’s center.
Hurricane Melissa’s Path and Warnings
As of the latest advisory, the NHC has issued hurricane warnings for Jamaica, parts of eastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Haiti. The storm is expected to move over Jamaica today, then proceed across southeastern Cuba on Wednesday before heading toward the Bahamas by Thursday.
At the time of the update, Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 115 miles southwest of Kingston, moving north-northeast at 5 mph. The storm's minimum central pressure was recorded at a staggering 901 millibars, highlighting its extreme intensity.
Communities on High Alert
Authorities in Jamaica are urging residents to prepare for extended power outages and limited access to emergency services. Minister McKenzie emphasized, "This is not a storm to wait out." As rescue teams mobilize in anticipation of the storm's landfall, forecasters warn that Melissa's strength is comparable to the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in modern history.
