KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Hurricane Melissa is poised to strike Jamaica on Tuesday as an alarming Category 5 storm, marking the most powerful hurricane to hit the island in 174 years of recorded history. The storm’s trajectory is forecasted to bring it ashore early Tuesday, cutting diagonally from St. Elizabeth parish in the south to St. Ann parish in the north, as reported by meteorologists.
As the storm approached, Jamaican authorities stated that they had taken all possible precautions to prepare for what they warned could lead to unprecedented devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the severity of the situation, noting, "There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5. The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge."
In the lead-up to Hurricane Melissa, reports of landslides, downed trees, and widespread power outages emerged across Jamaica, with officials warning that damage assessments and clean-up would likely be lengthy processes. A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) is anticipated in southern Jamaica, raising concerns for hospitals located along the coastline. Health Minister Christopher Tufton confirmed that certain patients had been moved from the ground floor to higher levels in anticipation of the surge, stating, "We hope that will suffice for any surge that will take place."
The storm has already claimed at least seven lives in the Caribbean, three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another individual remains unaccounted for. As Hurricane Melissa nears, it was reported to be located around 150 miles (240 kilometers) southwest of Kingston, with maximum sustained winds reaching 175 mph (280 kph) and moving north-northeast at 2 mph (4 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
“We will get through it together,” stated Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica’s meteorological service. While many families are sheltering in their homes despite governmental evacuation orders for flood-prone areas, there remains significant apprehension among the population. Mercy Corps advisor Colin Bogle pointed out, “Many have never experienced anything like this before, and the uncertainty is frightening. There is profound fear of losing homes and livelihoods, of injury, and of displacement.”
Matthew Samuda, the minister responsible for water and the environment, revealed that there are over 50 generators available for use post-storm but cautioned citizens to conserve clean water. "Every drop will count," he declared.
In addition to Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa's impact is expected to extend to Cuba, with anticipated landfall in the eastern part of the country late Tuesday. A hurricane warning has been issued for key provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín, while Las Tunas is under a tropical storm warning. Predictions indicate that areas in Cuba may receive up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of rain and face significant storm surges. Cuban authorities have begun evacuating over 600,000 people from vulnerable regions, particularly in Santiago, the country’s second-largest city.
Hurricane Melissa has already brought heavy rainfall to southern sections of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where a tropical storm warning remains active for Haiti. Following its passage through Cuba, the hurricane is expected to veer northeast and impact the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday evening. Currently, a hurricane warning is in place for both the southeastern and central Bahamas, while a tropical storm warning has been issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As the Caribbean braces for the onslaught of Melissa, communities across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas prepare for a potentially devastating impact from this historic hurricane.
