A dangerous hurricane moving towards Jamaica and Cuba has strengthened and is on track to potentially reach Category 5 status before hitting land either tonight or early Tuesday, as per meteorologists’ warnings.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has forecasted that hurricane Melissa will bring severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the region. Jamaican authorities are advising residents to evacuate to one of the 900 shelters set up across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other regions on Sunday night.
With maximum sustained winds reaching 140mph (220kph), Storm Melissa is set to intensify further as it approaches Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, expressed concerns, stating that many communities are at high risk of flooding, especially given Kingston’s low-lying nature.
The closure of both international airports has been confirmed.
The slow-moving storm has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with reports of fatalities and missing individuals.
Forecasts suggest Melissa could bring rainfall ranging from 15 to 30 inches to Jamaica and parts of Hispaniola, with localized amounts potentially exceeding 40 inches.
Eastern Cuba is anticipated to receive between 10 and 15 inches of rainfall, with some areas expecting up to 20 inches.
Authorities are cautioning about extensive damage to infrastructure, potential power and communication disruptions, and the isolation of several communities in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is ready to provide assistance, with international partners offering support.
Preparing for the impending conditions, Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, emphasized the need for residents in the affected regions to brace for heavy rainfall, flash floods, power outages, and road hazards, warning of potentially catastrophic impacts from Melissa.
