Photo: RICARDO MAKYN / AFP / Getty Images
Hurricane Melissa intensified to a Category 5 storm early Monday (October 27), posing a severe threat to Jamaica with catastrophic flash flooding, life-threatening landslides, and extremely strong winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that Melissa, with sustained winds of 160 mph, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica early Tuesday, bringing up to 40 inches of rain and a storm surge of 13 feet.
The storm's effects are already being felt, with heavy winds and rain lashing the island.
The storm has already caused devastation in the Caribbean, killing three people in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. In Jamaica, mandatory evacuations have been ordered for vulnerable coastal areas, including parts of Kingston, as reported by CNN. The Jamaican government is set to address the public at 11:30 a.m. Monday, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid taking risks during the storm.
Melissa's slow movement, at just 2 to 3 mph, has allowed it to intensify rapidly over warm ocean waters. The hurricane is expected to cross Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday (October 29), potentially causing further damage.
The storm has already dropped heavy rain in the Dominican Republic, where it has displaced over 3,760 people and damaged more than 750 homes. In Haiti, Melissa has destroyed crops in three regions, exacerbating the country's hunger crisis.
As Jamaica braces for the worst, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing damage from this unprecedented storm.