Hundreds of British vacationers are currently confined to a hotel in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane approaches the island. Guests staying at the Caribbean resort have been instructed to remain in their rooms as a safety precaution until at least Wednesday.
Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to be the most potent storm to strike Jamaica since official records began in 1851. A storm surge reaching up to 13 feet (4 meters) is projected to impact coastal Kingston, a critical area housing Jamaica’s main international airport and power facilities.
Parts of eastern Jamaica could receive approximately 30 inches (76cm) of rainfall, while western Haiti might see up to 16 inches (40cm), leading to the likelihood of severe flash floods and numerous landslides, as cautioned by the country’s hurricane center.
The slow-moving hurricane has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another person reported missing in the latter. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives in Jamaica over the weekend while preparing for the impending storm.
Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Water and Environment Minister, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It’s nothing to play with. The time for preparation is all but over.”
Over 200 British tourists are currently under lockdown at a Jamaican hotel due to the looming threat of Hurricane Melissa, a destructive Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 157mph on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The hurricane has already caused devastation in neighboring countries, claiming the lives of at least six individuals and displacing thousands.
Forecasters predict that Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica during the overnight hours or early on Tuesday, bringing stronger winds compared to its impact on nearby islands. This impending hurricane is expected to be the most severe in Jamaica’s history, according to meteorologists.
