Rapidly strengthening into a Category 4 hurricane, Hurricane Melissa poses a severe threat to Jamaica, with the potential for historic levels of devastation.
Hurricane Melissa, packing sustained winds of 145mph (230kph), intensified in the Caribbean Sea by late Sunday, on track to become a Category 5 storm by Monday night as it heads towards Jamaica.
Forecasters predict that by midday Tuesday, Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica with wind speeds exceeding 160mph (257kph), making it one of the most formidable hurricanes to hit the region in recent memory.
Prior to Melissa, the last major hurricane to hit Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which had wind speeds of 130mph.
The US National Hurricane Center warns that Melissa will pass over Jamaica and then move towards Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas, potentially bringing up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rainfall to Jamaica and neighboring regions.
Anticipating the looming impact, a live stream video has been set up on YouTube to monitor the situation in Kingston, Jamaica, a popular area known for its iconic clock tower and bustling traffic.
To witness the live stream, click here.
Jamaica faces a triple threat from Melissa – intense rainfall leading to flooding, destructive winds, and hazardous storm surges.
Residents are urged to seek shelter immediately as the storm approaches, with the NHC warning of catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and potentially devastating winds.
Heavy rainfall is expected to persist, posing significant risks for days to come.
Meanwhile, Haiti continues to grapple with the aftermath of Melissa’s severe flooding and landslide hazards.