Hurricane Melissa is poised to unleash significant devastation this week as it moves through the Caribbean, packing formidable 175mph winds and even stronger gusts, drawing close attention from storm trackers.
The storm, having arrived on Tuesday in the Caribbean with a pressure level almost mirroring that of Hurricane Katrina, is believed to have claimed seven lives so far. Fatalities include three in Jamaica, another three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, with one individual currently missing.
Given Melissa’s immense destructive potential, meteorologists are vigilantly monitoring its trajectory, as it is projected to impact multiple nations today.
As per the latest data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a US government agency, this morning, the hurricane was approximately 115 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 290 miles outside Guantanamo, Cuba. It is anticipated to reach Jamaica’s southern coastline in the coming hours.
The storm is forecasted to reach land in the early hours, cutting across 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 declared readiness for potentially catastrophic damage. Prime Minister Andrew Holness cautioned that no infrastructure in the region could withstand a Category 5 storm, emphasizing the challenge of recovery speed.
Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages surfaced before the storm, with Jamaican officials warning of a slow cleanup and damage evaluation process. A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is expected in southern Jamaica, raising concerns about coastal hospitals’ vulnerability.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton mentioned relocating patients to higher floors as a precautionary measure. NHC’s latest update indicated that the storm would initiate a “catastrophic” impact in Jamaica.
The wind warning states: “Tropical storm conditions are already affecting Jamaica, with catastrophic hurricane-force winds expected imminently. Structural failure is probable within the eyewall, particularly in elevated areas where wind speeds could be significantly stronger.”
Melissa is anticipated to bring extremely heavy rainfall, with the NHC projecting between 15 to 30 inches in certain regions of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola by Wednesday.
A further warning states: “Melissa is likely to bring rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to parts of Jamaica and additional rainfall of 6 to 12 inches for southern Hispaniola by Wednesday, with isolated totals up to 40 inches possible. Expect catastrophic flash floods and numerous landslides.”
“For eastern Cuba, total rainfall of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts reaching 25 inches, is expected through Wednesday, posing life-threatening flash flooding risks with numerous landslides.”