KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has been reported to be maintaining Category 4 strength as of late Sunday and poses a significant threat of catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean region, particularly affecting Haiti and Jamaica.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center has indicated that Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica by early Tuesday before crossing Cuba and heading into the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday. Jamie Rhome, the center’s deputy director, stated that conditions in Jamaica would deteriorate rapidly and emphasized the need for residents to be prepared for an extended period of inclement weather.
At the time of the report, Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 125 miles (205 kilometers) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 310 miles (495 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph) and was moving westward at a speed of 5 mph (7 kph). There is a possibility that it could escalate to Category 5 strength, with wind speeds exceeding 157 mph (250 kph) by Monday.
In terms of rainfall, the hurricane is predicted to drop between 30 inches (76 centimeters) on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Some areas could experience as much as 40 inches (1 meter) of rain. Furthermore, extensive damage to infrastructure, along with power and communication outages, is anticipated across Jamaica.
By late Tuesday, Melissa is expected to approach or make landfall in Cuba, where it could bring additional rainfall of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters). In response to the impending threat, the Cuban government has issued a hurricane warning for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin, alongside a tropical storm warning for Las Tunas.
Preparations in Jamaica included the closure of both Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Authorities ordered evacuations in the seaside community of Old Harbour Bay, located in St Catherine parish, as many residents in vulnerable and insubstantial areas chose not to heed evacuation advice. Desmond McKenzie, who is overseeing the government’s disaster response, reported that over 650 shelters across Jamaica are now open and stocked with essentials for potential distribution.
Evan Thompson, the principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, noted that the storm surge would largely affect the southern side of the island. He indicated that flooding is a concern for all parishes, particularly for residents near rivers or gullies, urging them to find safer locations as heavy rainfall approaches.
On a broader scale, preparations are also visible in neighboring countries, as the government of Antigua and Barbuda has provided accommodation in a hotel for students visiting Kingston. Jewel Moore, a student from the University of the West Indies, reported that the hotel is better equipped with power and water, allowing students to relax before the arrival of the storm.
The hurricane's toll has already been felt, particularly in Haiti, where it has claimed at least three lives and caused additional injuries due to a collapsed wall. Reports also indicate rising river levels and flooding, with severe damage occurring in northeastern regions. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic has seen similar devastation, with nearly 200 homes damaged and significant infrastructure disruption affecting over half a million households.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to southeastern and central islands in the Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, early next week. This storm marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, with NOAA having predicted a season characterized by above-normal activity.
