Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall to the northern Caribbean and posing a severe threat of flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Haiti. US forecasters cautioned that Melissa, currently moving slowly, is anticipated to further strengthen and reach major hurricane status upon reaching Jamaica early next week before moving towards Cuba. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to take necessary precautions in light of the approaching storm.
Melissa’s center was located approximately 200 kilometers south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 455 kilometers west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Saturday night. With sustained winds of 185 kph, the storm was inching west at 6 kph. The hurricane center predicted that Melissa could dump up to 30 inches of rain over Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.
Cuba issued a hurricane watch for several provinces as Melissa continued its slow progression. The storm has already claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with additional casualties reported. The storm’s projected path is causing growing concern among authorities, with expectations of lingering impacts for up to four days.
Preparations are underway in Jamaica, with the closure of the Norman Manley International Airport and activation of over 650 shelters. Haiti reported casualties and injuries due to the storm, while the Dominican Republic experienced housing damage and infrastructure disruptions. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned of potential tropical storm or hurricane conditions in the coming days.
Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, falling within the NOAA’s predicted above-normal range of 13 to 18 named storms for the season.