Hurricane Melissa has departed from Jamaica and is now heading northeast towards Cuba as a potent Category 4 storm after causing significant damage as the most intense hurricane ever to hit the island. Melissa made its landfall near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica, with sustained winds reaching 185 mph, surpassing the Category 5 hurricane threshold, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm wreaked havoc on coastal areas, leading to uprooted trees, flooded homes, and fallen power lines, resulting in widespread devastation.
As of Tuesday evening, Melissa weakened to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 145 mph as it moved away from Jamaica towards the Caribbean Sea. The storm was positioned about 15 miles east of Montego Bay and approximately 200 miles southwest of Guantnamo, Cuba, as reported by the NHC. Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the impact of the hurricane as catastrophic, emphasizing that no infrastructure could withstand the force of a Category 5 hurricane without sustaining damage.
Reports indicated that over 500,000 residents were without power, and parts of St. Elizabeth parish were submerged underwater. At least three storm-related deaths were reported, with numerous communities isolated by the aftermath of the storm. As Melissa moves away from Jamaica, Cuba is preparing for its arrival. The hurricane is expected to make landfall near Santiago de Cuba late Tuesday or early Wednesday, prompting Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel to urge residents to follow evacuation orders, anticipating significant damage from the cyclone.
Authorities in Cuba evacuated nearly 500,000 people from high-risk areas, while the Bahamas, next in Melissa’s projected path, issued additional evacuation orders for residents in southern islands. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already experienced severe rainfall from Melissa’s outer bands, resulting in at least four fatalities. The hurricane’s impact is expected to continue as it progresses towards eastern Cuba and the Bahamas, with authorities advising residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate and take necessary precautions.