Hurricane Melissa, now classified as a Category 4 hurricane, is on a trajectory towards Jamaica and Cuba, posing a significant risk of severe floods, landslides, and storm surges, as stated by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Sunday.
With sustained winds reaching speeds of 140 mph (220 km/h), Melissa is projected to intensify as it approaches Jamaica, where it is anticipated to make landfall either late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The storm is expected to impact southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday.
In preparation for the impending disaster, Jamaican officials have urged residents to seek refuge in nearly 900 designated shelters spread across the country. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for Port Royal in Kingston and six other vulnerable regions.
Desmond McKenzie, the Minister of Local Government, cautioned about the imminent threat of flooding, emphasizing the low-lying nature of Kingston and the vulnerability of its communities. International airports in the region have been shut down as a precautionary measure.
Despite evacuation efforts, some residents have chosen to remain in their homes, defying calls to board evacuation buses. Douglas Butler, a local boat captain in Port Royal, expressed his decision to weather the storm, highlighting the importance of having essential supplies for survival.
The NHC forecasts Melissa to unleash between 15 to 30 inches of rainfall in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized areas potentially receiving up to 40 inches. Eastern Cuba is anticipated to experience 10 to 15 inches of rainfall, with maximum amounts reaching 20 inches.
Jamaica’s Information Minister, Dana Morris Dixon, assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands prepared to offer assistance, with various international partners already pledging their support in response to the unprecedented rainfall projections.
“We are facing rainfall amounts that are unprecedented,” Morris Dixon remarked, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
