Hurricane Melissa Surges with 175 MPH Winds, Jamaica on Alert

URGENT UPDATE: Hurricane Melissa has intensified into one of the strongest storms of the year, boasting sustained winds of 175 mph. This catastrophic hurricane is currently threatening Jamaica and surrounding regions after already claiming lives in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

As of this morning, officials report that Melissa is crawling northwest at a mere 2 mph. The eye of the hurricane is expected to reach the southern coast of Jamaica early on Tuesday morning. However, the storm’s devastating impacts will begin hours before, with tropical-storm-force winds of up to 73 mph anticipated to hit Jamaica after midnight.

Hurricane conditions are predicted to commence just before sunrise, with sustained winds ranging from 74 mph to a staggering 175 mph as the storm approaches. Gusts could exceed 200 mph, particularly in mountainous areas, leading to prolonged hazards due to Melissa’s slow movement.

The National Hurricane Center warns of potential “extensive infrastructure damage” due to the combination of wind, flooding rain, and storm surge. Jamaica could see rainfall totals of up to 40 inches and storm surges reaching heights of 13 feet.

“It (Melissa) is very slow, it is very, very, very intense. And that means the outcome may potentially be extreme devastation and danger,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles in a statement to CNN.

Charles emphasized that evacuation orders for vulnerable areas are not merely suggestions but essential directives to save lives. Buses are actively transporting residents to emergency shelters as authorities brace for the hurricane’s impact.

In response to the escalating crisis, the United Nations is preparing to deploy personnel to Cuba and Jamaica to bolster humanitarian efforts. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated they are ready to assist as conditions allow, prioritizing coordination and preparedness across the region.

After passing Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is forecasted to maintain its strength as it moves over eastern Cuba, bringing damaging winds, hazardous storm surge, and life-threatening flooding. Fortunately, forecasts indicate that Melissa is unlikely to make landfall in the United States, thanks to a strong cold front acting as a protective barrier along the East Coast.

However, the storm will still create dangerous sea conditions, increasing the risk of rip currents along the East Coast from Wednesday through the weekend, as Melissa transitions into the Atlantic.

Residents in affected areas are urged to take immediate action to ensure their safety. As Hurricane Melissa continues to develop, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.