Hurricane Melissa Becomes Category 3 Storm, Threatens Jamaica and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a major Category 3 storm, bringing torrential rain and prompting fears of catastrophic flooding and landslides across the northern Caribbean. As of late Saturday night, the storm was located approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds reaching 115 mph. Forecasters predict that Melissa will strengthen further as it approaches Jamaica early next week, with possible landfall near Cuba by midweek.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to take the storm seriously, stating, “Take all measures to protect yourself.” The slow-moving storm poses significant threats to both Jamaica and southern Haiti, with forecasts indicating that it could deliver up to 30 inches of rain across these areas.

Impact on Jamaica and Haiti

As Hurricane Melissa progresses, authorities in Jamaica have activated over 650 shelters and prepared warehouses stocked with food and supplies for rapid distribution. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is set to close at 20:00 local time, while the status of Sangster Airport in Montego Bay remains uncertain.

In Haiti, the storm has already had tragic consequences, with reports confirming at least three fatalities and injuries to five others due to a collapsed wall. Rising river levels have led to flooding in various regions, including the northeast community of Sainte-Suzanne, where a bridge has been destroyed. Ronald Délice, a director of civil protection in Haiti, noted, “The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it’s moving,” as local authorities work to distribute food kits to affected residents.

The Dominican Republic has also felt the impacts of Melissa, with nearly 200 homes damaged and water supply systems disrupted, affecting over half a million residents. The storm has caused downed trees and traffic lights, initiated small landslides, and isolated numerous communities due to floodwaters.

Preparedness and Future Projections

The Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for its eastern provinces, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin. As the storm continues its slow path, Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, expressed concern for areas in the storm’s trajectory, stating, “Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire.”

Meteorological authorities in the Bahamas have warned that Hurricane Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.

Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had anticipated an above-normal hurricane season, forecasting between 13 to 18 named storms.

As the situation develops, authorities across the Caribbean are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for the potential impacts of Hurricane Melissa.