Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 3 storm, threatening Jamaica and Haiti with catastrophic flooding and landslides.
KINGSTON: Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a powerful Category 3 storm, threatening catastrophic flooding and landslides across Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the broader northern Caribbean region. The slow-moving system is expected to gain further strength, posing a severe weather threat through early next week.
With maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), Melissa was located about 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and roughly 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, late Saturday night. Moving slowly at just 3 mph, the storm is set to remain over the region for several days, increasing the risk of prolonged and devastating rainfall.
The Jamaican government has activated over 650 emergency shelters, closed the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, and prepositioned thousands of food packages to support emergency responses. Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents to take the threat seriously and prioritise their safety.
Forecasters predict up to 30 inches of rain could fall over Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, raising concerns about flash floods and deadly landslides. In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Melissa has already caused the deaths of at least four people, damaged nearly 200 homes, and cut off water access to over 500,000 residents. The storm has also disrupted infrastructure by knocking down trees, traffic lights, and isolating dozens of communities due to floodwaters.
The Cuban government has issued hurricane watches for its eastern provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and Holguin, preparing for potential impacts as Melissa moves northwest through the region.
Experts warn that the storm’s slow pace could result in prolonged devastation. Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the US National Hurricane Center, described the situation as “increasingly dire,” urging communities to brace for several days of harsh weather conditions.
