A powerful hurricane, named Melissa, quickly intensified in the Caribbean overnight, posing a potential threat, as stated by U.S. forecasters on Sunday. The U.S. National Hurricane Centre reported that Melissa had reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale with maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h.
Forecasters based in Miami mentioned that Melissa is expected to strengthen further during the day and is likely to hit Jamaica by Monday night or Tuesday morning. The storm, moving westward at a pace of seven km/h, was positioned about 195 kilometres southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, as of Saturday night.
Jamaica is under a hurricane warning, while hurricane watches have been issued for certain areas of Haiti and southeastern Cuba. The forecast suggests that Jamaica could witness heavy rainfall of up to 1,000 millimetres by Wednesday, with similar conditions expected in southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The possibility of life-threatening flooding and landslides is a major concern, especially in southwestern Haiti, where up to 700 millimetres of rain is projected.
Eastern Cuba is also likely to be impacted by Melissa by early Wednesday, with potential rainfall of up to 30 centimetres in specific regions. The slow and unpredictable movement of the storm has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with several fatalities reported.
Authorities in Jamaica have taken precautionary measures, anticipating the storm’s impact, with plans to shut down all airports upon issuing a hurricane warning. Over 650 shelters have been activated, and essential supplies are stocked across the island for rapid distribution if needed. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to stay vigilant and protect themselves from the impending weather threat.
The U.S. National Hurricane Centre emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting the prolonged impact of Melissa’s slow progression, including damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and potential power outages.
In Haiti, the storm has claimed lives, caused injuries, and triggered infrastructure damage, raising concerns among local authorities. Haiti’s civil protection director expressed worries about the storm’s movement and its consequences, emphasizing the need for residents to prioritize safety.
Melissa has caused extensive damage in the Dominican Republic, affecting homes, water supply systems, and transportation infrastructure, leaving several communities isolated by floodwaters. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has issued warnings about possible tropical storm or hurricane conditions in certain island regions.
Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had previously anticipated an active season with 13 to 18 named storms.