Hurricane Melissa was on a path towards Jamaica, packing powerful Category 4 winds and was projected to intensify further before hitting the Caribbean nation with potential rainfall of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) and a dangerous storm surge. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of the likelihood of catastrophic flash floods and landslides, with certain areas in eastern Jamaica possibly experiencing up to 40 inches (1 meter) of rainfall, and western Haiti expecting around 16 inches (40 centimeters).
The storm’s trajectory indicated that Melissa’s center would pass over Jamaica on Tuesday, move across southeast Cuba later on Tuesday, and reach the southeast Bahamas by Wednesday. As a slow-moving storm, Melissa has already claimed at least three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another individual reported missing in the latter country.
On Sunday night, Melissa was situated approximately 125 miles (205 kilometers) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 310 miles (495 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantnamo, Cuba. With maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 kph), the hurricane was moving west at 5 mph (7 kph) and had the potential to escalate to Category 5 strength, with winds exceeding 157 mph (250 kph) by Monday.
Authorities in Jamaica, including Desmond McKenzie, the deputy chairman of the Disaster Risk Management Council, urged residents to take precautions and not underestimate the storm’s impact. Melissa was anticipated to make another landfall in eastern Cuba on Tuesday, prompting hurricane warnings in various Cuban provinces and predictions of heavy rainfall and significant storm surges.
Experts indicated that Melissa could potentially be the most powerful hurricane Jamaica has seen in decades, posing challenges for post-storm cleanup and assessment due to expected landslides, flooding, and blocked roads. Evan Thompson, the principal director at Jamaica’s meteorological service, highlighted the potential severity of the storm, noting the likelihood of a life-threatening storm surge along Jamaica’s southern coast.
In the Dominican Republic, Melissa’s heavy rainfall caused significant damage, leading to the closure of schools and government offices in several provinces under red alert. The storm impacted over 750 homes, displacing thousands of people, while in Haiti, crop destruction and flooding exacerbated an already dire food security situation.
Warnings and alerts were issued across the region as Melissa continued to bring torrential rain to southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic, with authorities emphasizing the critical need for preparedness and caution in the face of the impending weather conditions.