Hurricane Melissa Intensifies, Threatening Jamaica and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 3 storm, unleashing heavy rainfall across the northern Caribbean. This powerful hurricane poses a significant risk of catastrophic flooding and landslides, particularly in Jamaica and southern Haiti. According to the US National Hurricane Center, Melissa is expected to further strengthen before making landfall in Jamaica early next week.

As of late Saturday night, Melissa was located approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The hurricane was reported to have maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving westward at a sluggish 3 mph.

Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, urged residents to take the impending weather threat seriously, emphasizing the need for protective measures. “Take all measures to protect yourself,” he stated in a public address. Authorities in Jamaica have activated over 650 shelters across the island in preparation for the storm’s impact.

Severe Weather Forecasts and Preparedness

The hurricane center predicts that Melissa could bring up to 30 inches of rain to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In response to the forecast, the Cuban government issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin on Saturday afternoon.

As the storm’s slow progress continues, it has already resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, five people have suffered injuries due to a collapsed wall, highlighting the storm’s immediate impact on local communities. “Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire,” stated Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center.

With the storm expected to linger for up to four days, authorities have taken measures to ensure public safety. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will close at 20:00 local time on Saturday, though information regarding the closure of the Sangster airport in Montego Bay remains unconfirmed.

Impact on Haiti and the Dominican Republic

In Haiti, officials report rising river levels, flooding, and damage from a collapsed bridge in Sainte-Suzanne due to breached riverbanks. “The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it’s moving,” remarked Ronald Délice, a Haitian civil protection director. Local authorities are organizing food distributions, but many residents remain hesitant to evacuate their homes.

The storm has also left its mark on the Dominican Republic, damaging nearly 200 homes and disrupting water supply systems for over half a million customers. The storm has caused landslides and downed trees, isolating numerous communities due to floodwaters.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that tropical storm or hurricane conditions may affect islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted an above-average hurricane season, expecting between 13 to 18 named storms this year.

As Hurricane Melissa continues its dangerous path through the Caribbean, authorities are urging residents to stay informed and prepared for potential emergencies.