Hurricane Melissa Strikes Jamaica as Most Powerful Storm on Record

Hurricane Melissa is set to impact Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, marking the strongest hurricane to ever strike the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago. The storm is projected to make landfall early on March 5, 2024, entering near St. Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting through St. Ann parish in the north, according to forecasters. The government has issued warnings about potential catastrophic damage, urging residents to prepare for significant impacts.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5. The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge.” As the storm approaches, reports indicate landslides, downed trees, and widespread power outages across the island, suggesting that cleanup and damage assessments will be prolonged.

Forecasts indicate that Jamaica could experience between 15 to 30 inches of rain, with some areas potentially receiving up to 40 inches by the storm’s conclusion. The National Hurricane Center warns of likely catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides as a result of the heavy rainfall. Eastern Cuba is also expected to face significant rainfall, with predictions of 10 to 20 inches from Monday through Wednesday, which may lead to life-threatening conditions.

A dangerous storm surge of up to 13 feet is anticipated along southern Jamaica, raising concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals. Health Minister Christopher Tufton noted that some patients have been relocated to the second floor to mitigate risk from potential flooding.

As of now, Hurricane Melissa has already been linked to seven fatalities in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another individual is reported missing. The storm was located approximately 135 miles southwest of Kingston and had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, well above the threshold for a Category 5 hurricane.

In response to the approaching storm, Jamaica’s meteorological service has been actively communicating updates. Evan Thompson, principal director at the service, stated, “We will get through it together.” Despite government evacuation orders in flood-prone areas, many families are choosing to shelter in place. Colin Bogle, a Mercy Corps advisor, expressed concern over the uncertainty felt by residents, noting fears of injury, displacement, and loss of homes.

The Jamaican government is taking steps to address the aftermath, with Matthew Samuda, the water and environment minister, announcing the availability of more than 50 generators for deployment post-storm. He urged citizens to conserve clean water as every drop will be crucial in the recovery phase.

As Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue its path towards eastern Cuba later on March 5, Cuban officials have already begun evacuating over 600,000 people from vulnerable regions, including the city of Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city. The storm is projected to affect the southeast Bahamas by Wednesday evening, triggering further hurricane and tropical storm warnings for those regions.

The U.S. State Department has issued travel alerts for Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Bahamas, advising U.S. citizens to consider exiting while flights remain available or to prepare for possible shelter in place. On Monday, a Hurricane Hunters aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had to abort its mission due to severe turbulence encountered within the storm’s eyewall.

As the storm approaches, the focus remains on the safety of residents and the impact of Hurricane Melissa, a powerful reminder of nature’s unpredictability.