Hurricane Melissa, now categorized as a Category 4 storm, is currently on a trajectory towards Jamaica and Cuba, with the potential to cause severe floods, landslides, and storm surges in the region, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). With sustained winds reaching 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour), Melissa is anticipated to intensify further as it approaches Jamaica, where it is projected to make landfall by Monday night or Tuesday morning before moving towards southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday.
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, Jamaican authorities have urged residents to seek refuge in nearly 900 available shelters across the country, extending support to those seeking evacuation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas on Sunday night as a precautionary measure. Desmond McKenzie, the local government minister, emphasized the vulnerability of many communities to the impending flooding, highlighting the low-lying nature of Kingston and emphasizing the risk of widespread inundation.
As a precautionary measure, both international airports in Jamaica have been closed. Despite the warnings, some residents have opted to remain in their homes, with reports indicating that some individuals have declined to utilize evacuation transportation services. Douglas Butler, a local boat captain in Port Royal, expressed his decision to weather the storm, emphasizing the importance of ensuring provisions are in place for sustenance.
The NHC has forecasted that Melissa could bring between 15 to 30 inches of rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized areas potentially experiencing up to 40 inches of rain. Eastern Cuba is expected to receive between 10 to 15 inches of rainfall, with localized amounts of up to 20 inches. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, highlighted the readiness of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance, noting the unprecedented nature of the projected rainfall figures and expressing gratitude for the support pledged by various international partners.