A dangerous hurricane, named Melissa, is on track to hit the Caribbean with significant flooding expected in Jamaica. The storm has rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 145mph (230kph) as it moves westward at 5mph (7kph) in the Caribbean Sea.
Forecasters predict Melissa to further strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane by Monday night, with winds surpassing 157mph (250kph) as it changes course towards Jamaica. By midday on Tuesday, Melissa is anticipated to make landfall in Jamaica with wind speeds reaching up to 160mph (257kph), potentially making it one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike the country, surpassing the impact of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.
The trajectory of the hurricane is expected to pass over Jamaica before moving into Cuba and then towards the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm is projected to bring extensive rainfall, with estimates of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with localized areas possibly experiencing as much as 40 inches (1 meter) of rain.
As preparations are made for the impending hurricane impact in Jamaica, a live stream video has been established on YouTube to monitor the situation from Kingston’s Jamaica Street, a popular area featuring the iconic clock tower and bustling traffic.
Jamaica is facing multiple threats from Hurricane Melissa, including excessive rainfall leading to flooding, destructive winds, and perilous storm surges. While the storm is expected to reach the island early on Tuesday, heavy rainfall has already commenced across Jamaica since Sunday. Residents have been urged to take immediate shelter as the National Hurricane Center warns of catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and the impending devastating winds.
The persistent heavy rainfall poses ongoing life-threatening risks, with Haiti also grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding and landslides triggered by Hurricane Melissa.
