A powerful hurricane, Hurricane Melissa, is on track to unleash catastrophic flooding in Jamaica, marking one of the strongest storms in over three decades to hit the region. With sustained winds reaching 145mph (230kph) and a Category 4 rating, the hurricane is slowly moving westward at 5mph (7kph) in the Caribbean Sea.
Forecasts indicate that Hurricane Melissa is expected to escalate to a Category 5 storm by Monday night, with wind speeds exceeding 157mph (250kph) as it shifts northeast towards Jamaica. By midday Tuesday, the hurricane is projected to make landfall in Jamaica with wind gusts of up to 160mph (257kph), potentially making it one of the most intense hurricanes to strike the Caribbean nation in its history.
Before Hurricane Melissa, the most potent hurricane recorded was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which pummeled Jamaica with 130mph winds. The trajectory of Melissa suggests that after passing near or over Jamaica, it will head towards Cuba and then the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Anticipated rainfall from Hurricane Melissa could reach up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized areas expecting up to 40 inches (1 meter) of rainfall. As preparations intensify in Jamaica ahead of the storm’s impact, a live stream video has been established on YouTube to monitor the situation in Kingston’s Jamaica Street, a bustling area known for its prominent clock tower.
Jamaica is bracing for the triple threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, including extreme rainfall and resulting flooding, destructive winds, and perilous storm surges. While the hurricane is projected to hit the island early Tuesday, heavy rainfall has already started spreading across Jamaica since Sunday. Jamaican residents have been urged to seek shelter immediately, as the National Hurricane Center warns of the potential for catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and devastating winds.
The continuous heavy rainfall presents a prolonged threat, with potentially life-threatening consequences. Meanwhile, Haiti continues to grapple with the aftermath of Melissa’s destructive flooding and landslide risks.
