A powerful storm named Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to wreak havoc this week as it sweeps through the Caribbean, with meteorologists closely monitoring its progress due to its intense 175mph winds and higher gusts.
The storm, which hit the Caribbean on Tuesday with a pressure level almost matching that of Hurricane Katrina, has tragically claimed the lives of seven individuals, as confirmed by authorities. Fatalities include three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person is currently missing.
The significant destructive potential of Melissa has prompted weather forecasters to closely track its path, as it is projected to make landfall in multiple other nations today.
According to the latest data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), a US government agency, Hurricane Melissa was located this morning approximately 115 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 290 miles away from Guantanamo, Cuba. The storm is forecasted to reach Jamaica’s southern coast in the coming hours.
Expected to hit land in the early hours, the storm is predicted to traverse the island diagonally, entering near St Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting around St Ann parish in the north, as per meteorologists.
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, the government stated that all necessary preparations had been made to mitigate potential catastrophic damage. Prime Minister Andrew Holness cautioned that no infrastructure in the region could withstand the conditions brought by a Category 5 hurricane.
Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages surfaced prior to the storm’s impact, with Jamaican officials warning that the cleanup and damage assessment process would be slow. A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) is anticipated along southern Jamaica, raising concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton mentioned the relocation of some patients from ground floors to higher levels as a safety measure. The NHC’s latest update highlighted the imminent “catastrophic” impact of the storm in Jamaica.
The wind warning issued by the NHC states: “Tropical storm conditions are currently affecting Jamaica, with catastrophic hurricane-force winds expected to commence this morning. Structural failure is probable within the eyewall, especially in elevated areas where wind speeds could be significantly stronger.”
Melissa is forecasted to bring similarly devastating rainfall, with estimates of 15 to 30 inches in certain areas of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola by Wednesday, according to the NHC.
A secondary warning outlines the expected rainfall of 15 to 30 inches in parts of Jamaica and an additional 6 to 12 inches for southern Hispaniola, with the possibility of localized maximum rainfall reaching 40 inches. Flash flooding and landslides are deemed likely consequences.
For eastern Cuba, storm total rainfall estimates range from 10 to 20 inches, with local amounts up to 25 inches, heightening the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides through Wednesday.