Hurricane Melissa, now classified as a Category 4 hurricane, is on a trajectory towards Jamaica and Cuba, posing a significant threat of severe floods, landslides, and storm surges in the region, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). With sustained winds reaching up to 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), Melissa is projected to intensify as it approaches Jamaica, where it is anticipated to make landfall either Monday night or Tuesday morning, followed by a likely impact on southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday.
In anticipation of the impending storm, Jamaican authorities have urged residents to seek refuge in nearly 900 shelters dispersed across the country, offering support to those opting to evacuate. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas to ensure the safety of residents. Desmond McKenzie, the local government minister, expressed concerns about the vulnerability of many communities to the looming flooding, emphasizing the heightened risk in low-lying Kingston where no area is immune from the potential impacts.
As a precautionary measure, both international airports have been shut down in response to the approaching hurricane. Despite evacuation efforts, some residents have chosen to remain in their homes, with reports indicating that individuals have declined to board evacuation buses, opting to weather the storm on their own terms.
The NHC has forecasted that Melissa could bring between 15 to 30 inches of rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized amounts possibly reaching 40 inches. Likewise, eastern Cuba is expected to receive rainfall ranging from 10 to 15 inches, with potential local accumulations of up to 20 inches. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, has assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands prepared to offer assistance, with several international partners already committing support in response to the unprecedented rainfall projections.
In light of the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Melissa, the region remains on high alert as authorities and residents brace for the potentially devastating impact of the storm.