A dangerous hurricane is rapidly gaining strength as it heads towards Jamaica and Cuba, with the potential to escalate to a Category 5 storm – the highest classification – before making landfall tonight or early Tuesday, as forecasters have alerted.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has projected that Hurricane Melissa will bring about severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the region. In response, Jamaican officials have advised residents to seek refuge in the 900 shelters set up across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation directives for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas on Sunday night.
The current sustained winds of Hurricane Melissa are at 140mph (220kph), and experts anticipate further strengthening as it approaches Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie, expressed concerns over the potential devastation, stating that many communities in Kingston are at risk due to the low-lying terrain and susceptibility to flooding.
Both international airports in the region are now non-operational.
The slow-moving storm has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with fatalities reported, and one individual still missing.
The NHC predicts that Melissa may bring rainfall ranging from 15 to 30 inches to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized areas experiencing over 40 inches of rain.
Eastern Cuba is expected to receive rainfall between 10 and 15 inches, with some areas possibly reaching 20 inches.
Authorities are cautioning about widespread destruction to infrastructure, potential power and communication blackouts, and isolation of communities in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands ready to provide assistance, with international partners offering their support.
In anticipation of the severe weather, Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, emphasized the need for preparedness across affected regions. He warned of potential torrential rainfall, flash flooding, power disruptions, and road closures due to Melissa’s impact, which could be catastrophic.