A dangerous hurricane approaching Jamaica and Cuba is gaining strength and could escalate to Category 5, the most severe level, before hitting the area tonight or early Tuesday, as per meteorologists’ alerts.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that hurricane Melissa will bring devastating flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the region. Jamaican officials are advising residents to evacuate to one of the 900 shelters set up across the island.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other regions on Sunday night.
With sustained winds reaching up to 140mph (220kph), Storm Melissa is set to intensify further as it nears Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie expressed concerns, stating that many communities may not withstand the flooding, particularly in low-lying areas like Kingston.
Both international airports in the region are currently shut down.
The slow-moving storm has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The NHC projects Melissa to bring heavy rainfall ranging from 15 to 30 inches to Jamaica and parts of Hispaniola, with some areas possibly receiving over 40 inches.
Eastern Cuba is expected to experience rainfall between 10 and 15 inches, with localized amounts up to 20 inches.
Authorities are cautioning about significant damage to infrastructure, potential power and communication disruptions, and isolated communities in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, mentioned that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is ready to provide assistance, with international partners pledging their support.
Anticipating unprecedented rainfall, as reported by The Independent, Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, emphasized the need for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamaica to prepare for torrential rain, flash floods, power failures, and road closures due to the potential catastrophic impacts of Melissa.
