Hurricane Melissa is set to wreak havoc this week as it moves through the Caribbean with storm trackers closely monitoring its progress, generating incredibly strong 175mph winds and even higher gusts.
The storm, which landed in the Caribbean on Tuesday with a pressure level almost matching that of Hurricane Katrina, has reportedly claimed seven lives so far. Three fatalities occurred in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person is currently missing.
Given Melissa’s destructive potential, meteorologists are vigilantly tracking the system as it is projected to make landfall in multiple other countries today.
Based on the most recent data from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC), a US government agency, the hurricane was located this morning approximately 115 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 290 miles outside Guantanamo, Cuba. It is anticipated to reach Jamaica’s southern coast in the coming hours.
Forecasts indicate that the storm will hit land early and traverse the island diagonally, entering near St Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting around St Ann parish in the north.
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, the government expressed readiness for the potentially catastrophic impact, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness cautioning that no infrastructure could withstand a Category 5 hurricane. He emphasized the challenge of recovery in the aftermath.
Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages surfaced prior to the storm, with Jamaican officials warning of a slow cleanup and damage evaluation process. A life-threatening storm surge reaching up to 13 feet (4 meters) is expected along southern Jamaica, raising concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton mentioned the relocation of some patients from lower to upper floors in anticipation of the storm’s effects. The NHC’s latest update highlighted the looming “catastrophic” impact expected in Jamaica.
The wind warning states: “Tropical storm conditions are currently ongoing in Jamaica, with catastrophic hurricane-force winds anticipated to commence this morning. Structural failure is likely within the eyewall, particularly in elevated areas where wind speeds could be significantly stronger.”
Melissa is forecasted to bring similarly catastrophic rainfall, with the NHC projecting between 15 to 30 inches in certain parts of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola by Wednesday.
A secondary warning mentions: “Melissa is expected to bring rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to portions of Jamaica and additional rainfall of 6 to 12 inches for southern Hispaniola through Wednesday, with localized maximum totals of 40 inches possible. Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are probable.”
Additionally, for eastern Cuba, storm total rainfall of 10 to 20 inches, with local amounts up to 25 inches, is anticipated by Wednesday, posing risks of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.