A powerful Category 4 hurricane named Melissa is intensifying as it moves towards Jamaica and Cuba, bringing with it the threat of devastating floods, landslides, and storm surges, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). With sustained winds reaching 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), Melissa is projected to strengthen further as it approaches Jamaica, where it is anticipated to make landfall either late Monday night or early Tuesday morning before impacting southeastern Cuba later on Tuesday.
Jamaican authorities are urging residents to evacuate to nearly 900 shelters across the country, offering assistance to those seeking to leave. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas as a precautionary measure. Minister of local government, Desmond McKenzie, emphasized the severe flooding risks facing many communities in Kingston due to its low-lying geography.
The closure of both international airports has been enforced in preparation for the impending storm. Despite evacuation efforts, some residents have chosen to stay in their homes, with reports indicating that some individuals have declined boarding evacuation buses, opting to weather the storm on their own.
The NHC predicts Melissa will bring extremely heavy rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, ranging from 15 to 30 inches with localized amounts of up to 40 inches. Eastern Cuba is expected to receive 10 to 15 inches of rain, with potential local accumulations of 20 inches. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, confirmed that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands ready to provide aid, with international partners already pledging support in response to the unprecedented rainfall projections.
“We are facing rainfall figures that are unprecedented,” Morris Dixon remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation as the region braces for the impact of Hurricane Melissa.