Hurricane Melissa Set to Strike Jamaica as Most Powerful Storm

Kingston, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa is poised to strike Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, the strongest recorded since tracking began 174 years ago. The hurricane is expected to make landfall early on September 26, 2023, near St. Elizabeth parish in the south, before cutting diagonally across the island and exiting around St. Ann parish in the north.

Ahead of the storm, the Jamaican government announced that it has taken extensive measures to prepare for possible devastation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “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.” Reports of landslides, fallen trees, and power outages have already begun to emerge, with officials warning that cleanup and damage assessments will be slow.

Devastating Rainfall and Flooding Expected

The National Hurricane Center forecasts that Hurricane Melissa could bring between 15 to 30 inches of rain to various areas of Jamaica and 6 to 12 inches to southern Hispaniola, which comprises Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Some regions may receive up to 40 inches of rain, increasing the risk of “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides.”

For eastern Cuba, total rainfall is projected to reach between 10 to 20 inches, with isolated areas receiving as much as 25 inches from Monday through Wednesday. This rainfall is expected to result in “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding,” the hurricane center warned. The southeastern Bahamas is also bracing for 5 to 10 inches of rain, raising concerns about flash flooding.

A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is anticipated along southern Jamaica, particularly impacting coastal hospitals. Health Minister Christopher Tufton noted that some patients have already been moved to higher floors in facilities to mitigate risks associated with the surge.

Casualties and Evacuations Across the Region

As the storm approaches, it has already been linked to at least seven deaths in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where one individual remains missing. At the time of reporting, Melissa was located approximately 135 miles southwest of Kingston and had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, well above the threshold of 157 mph required to classify it as a Category 5 hurricane.

Local residents are grappling with uncertainty as many families choose to shelter in place despite government evacuation orders in flood-prone areas. Colin Bogle, an advisor at Mercy Corps, expressed the emotional toll of the storm, stating, “Many have never experienced anything like this before, and the uncertainty is frightening.” Concerns about losing homes, livelihoods, and safety are prevalent among the local population.

Minister of Water and Environment Matthew Samuda highlighted that over 50 generators are ready for deployment post-storm. He urged residents to conserve clean water, emphasizing that “every drop will count.”

As Hurricane Melissa continues its path, it is also expected to make landfall in eastern Cuba later on September 26. A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín, while Las Tunas is under a tropical storm warning. Cuban officials reported that over 600,000 people are being evacuated from vulnerable regions, including Santiago, the country’s second-largest city.

The U.S. State Department has issued natural disaster travel alerts for Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Bahamas, advising citizens to consider leaving while flights remain available or to prepare to shelter in place.

As the storm progresses, a Hurricane Hunters aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was forced to abort its mission due to severe turbulence encountered in the storm’s southwestern eyewall.

The response to Hurricane Melissa will be critical as communities in Jamaica and surrounding areas brace for the impact of this unprecedented storm.