Hurricane Melissa has rapidly strengthened into a major Category 3 storm, raising alarms of potentially catastrophic consequences. The hurricane has already dropped torrential rain across the northern Caribbean and now threatens disastrous flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Haiti.
Forecasters in the United States warned on Saturday that the slow-moving Melissa is expected to gain more strength as it approaches and makes landfall in Jamaica within the next day or two.
Urgent Safety Warnings
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents to take the threat seriously, stating, “I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself.”
As of late Saturday night, Melissa was centered about 200 km (125 miles) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and approximately 455 km (280 miles) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The hurricane’s maximum sustained winds reached 185 kilometres per hour (115 miles per hour), according to the hurricane center.
Preparations Underway in Jamaica
Authorities in Jamaica have announced the closure of Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. However, they have yet to confirm whether Sangster Airport in Montego Bay on the island’s western side will also close. More than 650 shelters have been activated across the country to accommodate those needing safety.
Officials have ensured that warehouses are well-stocked, and thousands of food packages have been prepositioned for rapid distribution if necessary.
Expected Impact and Path
Melissa is forecast to bring punishing rains of up to 76 centimetres (30 inches) to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The storm is expected to be near or over Cuba by midweek.
In response, the Cuban government issued a hurricane watch on Saturday afternoon for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin.
Casualties and Damage Reports
The erratic and slow-moving hurricane has already resulted in at least three deaths in Haiti and a fourth fatality in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.
Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the hurricane center, commented on the situation earlier on Saturday, saying, “Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire.” He added that the storm is likely to continue moving slowly for up to four days.
In Haiti, rising river levels and floods have been reported, causing the destruction of a bridge in Sainte-Suzanne in the northeast due to breached riverbanks. Ronald Delice, Haitian department director of civil protection, highlighted the concerns about the storm’s movement as local authorities organized food kit distributions. Despite these efforts, many residents remain reluctant to evacuate their homes.
In the Dominican Republic, nearly 200 homes have been damaged and water supply systems have been knocked out, affecting over half a million customers. The storm also downed trees and traffic lights, triggered small landslides, and isolated more than two dozen communities due to floodwaters.
Further Threats to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, by early next week.
Season Context
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30.
Residents in affected areas are strongly advised to stay informed through official channels and to follow all safety directives as Hurricane Melissa progresses through the Caribbean region.