KINGSTON, Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm with sustained winds around 140 mph (≈220 km/h) as it approaches Jamaica, where authorities have issued emergency evacuation orders and warned of flooding, landslides and storm surges.
The Hurricane Melissa, moving slowly at about 3-5 mph (4-8 km/h) in the western Caribbean, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica late Monday or Tuesday.
Jamaica’s government has initiated mandatory evacuations in the most vulnerable areas, including parts of the capital, Kingston. Both major international airports are closed and hundreds of shelters have been activated across the island.
The storm is forecast to dump between 15 and 30 inches (38-76 cm) of rainfall across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with some areas possibly receiving up to 40 inches (≈1 metre).
Major storm surges — up to 13 ft (~4 metres) — and large waves are expected, particularly along Jamaica’s south-coast and the south-east coast of Cuba.
The slow forward motion and rapid intensification of the storm are considered particularly dangerous, as prolonged exposure will amplify rainfall and flood risk.
Meteorologists emphasize that though Jamaica may not bear the full brunt of the hurricane’s core, the combination of very heavy rains, slow movement and coastal surge elevates the risk of catastrophic damage to infrastructure, communications and the safety of communities. Ä
Officials say the storm is on track to become one of the most severe in Jamaica’s recent history, and neighbouring countries such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas are also under threat.
Jamaica remains under a hurricane warning; parts of Cuba and Haiti are under hurricane watch or tropical storm warnings.
After affecting Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is projected to move toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas later in the week.
Residents are being urged to complete preparations immediately — securing property, gathering provisions, and evacuating low-lying and flood-prone areas. As one official put it: “Many of these communities will not survive this flooding.”
