A powerful Category 4 hurricane named Melissa is on a path towards Jamaica and Cuba, bringing with it the potential for devastating floods, landslides, and storm surges, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) announcement on Sunday.
Melissa is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour (220 kilometers per hour) and is forecasted to intensify as it moves closer to Jamaica, where it is projected to make landfall either Monday night or Tuesday morning. The storm is anticipated to impact southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday.
Authorities in Jamaica have urged residents to seek shelter in nearly 900 available shelters across the country, offering assistance to those who wish to evacuate. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other regions on Sunday night.
Desmond McKenzie, the minister of local government, expressed concerns about the potential devastation, stating, “Many of these communities will not survive this flooding. Kingston is situated at a low elevation, making it highly vulnerable to flooding, with no area being immune.”
As a precautionary measure, both international airports have been shut down.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, some residents opted to remain in their homes, with reports of individuals refusing to board evacuation buses.
Local boat captain Douglas Butler from Port Royal expressed his decision to stay, saying, “We are staying put during the storm. I prefer to monitor the situation closely and ensure everything is functioning well. As long as I have access to food, I am prepared. That is my priority.”
The NHC anticipates Melissa to bring between 15 to 30 inches of rainfall to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized amounts reaching up to 40 inches. Eastern Cuba is projected to receive 10 to 15 inches of rainfall, with localized totals potentially reaching 20 inches.
Jamaica’s information minister, Dana Morris Dixon, affirmed that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency stands ready to provide assistance, with several international partners already committing support.
“The projected rainfall levels are unprecedented,” Morris Dixon remarked.