Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 4, Catastrophic Flooding Imminent
URGENT UPDATE: Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane, threatening catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warns that Melissa could escalate to a Category 5 storm as early as tonight, unleashing torrential rains that may reach up to 30 inches in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
As of this morning, Melissa was located approximately 120 miles (195 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph). The storm is progressing westward at a slow 5 mph (8 kph), raising concerns for prolonged impacts on the region. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to take immediate action: “I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself.”
Authorities anticipate that Melissa will approach the southern coast of Jamaica by late Monday or early Tuesday, prompting a swift response from local officials. More than 650 shelters have been activated across the island, with warehouses stocked with emergency food supplies for rapid distribution. Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is set to close at 8 p.m. local time today, further complicating evacuation efforts.
In Haiti, the storm has already claimed at least three lives and injured five others due to infrastructure collapses. The rising river levels have caused significant flooding, with reports of a destroyed bridge in Sainte-Suzanne. “The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it’s moving,” said Ronald Délice, a Haitian civil protection director.
The Dominican Republic is also feeling the storm’s wrath, with nearly 200 homes damaged and water supply systems disrupted, affecting over 500,000 customers. The storm has downed trees and traffic lights, leading to isolated communities due to floodwaters.
As Melissa heads toward Cuba, officials have issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin. The storm is projected to bring up to 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain to Cuba by late Tuesday, before continuing toward the Bahamas by Wednesday.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warns that tropical storm or hurricane conditions may impact islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands early next week.
Melissa is 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 predicted an above-normal season, expecting between 13 to 18 named storms.
As the situation develops, residents across the affected regions are urged to remain vigilant and follow updates from local authorities. The impact of Hurricane Melissa is expected to escalate rapidly, and immediate preparations are critical for safety.
