Hurricane Melissa Becomes Category 3, Poses Severe Threat to Jamaica and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly escalated into a major Category 3 storm, unleashing heavy rainfall across the northern Caribbean. As it develops, the storm poses a significant threat of catastrophic flooding and landslides in both Jamaica and southern Haiti. According to the National Hurricane Center, Melissa is expected to intensify further and be classified as a major hurricane when it approaches Jamaica early next week.

By late Saturday night, Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and is moving westward at a sluggish pace of 3 mph. Forecasts indicate that the storm could drop as much as 30 inches of rain on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which encompasses both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Government Response and Advisories

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged residents to take the threat seriously, stating, “Take all measures to protect yourself.” In preparation for the impending storm, Jamaican authorities have activated over 650 shelters across the island. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will close at 20:00 local time on Saturday, although no announcement has been made regarding the status of Sangster Airport in Montego Bay.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin. The slow-moving storm has already had deadly consequences, with reports indicating that it has claimed at least three lives in Haiti and another in the Dominican Republic, where one person remains unaccounted for.

Impact on Local Communities

As Hurricane Melissa continues its erratic path, authorities in Haiti have reported rising river levels, flooding, and the destruction of a bridge in Sainte-Suzanne, located in the northeast. Ronald Délice, a director in Haiti’s civil protection department, emphasized the growing concerns regarding the storm’s trajectory. Local officials are working to distribute food kits, although many residents are hesitant to evacuate their homes.

In the Dominican Republic, nearly 200 homes have sustained damage, and water supply systems have been disrupted, leaving over half a million customers affected. The storm has caused downed trees, knocked out traffic lights, and triggered small landslides, isolating numerous communities due to floodwaters.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that Melissa may bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, by early next week.

Hurricane Melissa marks 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 previously anticipated an above-normal season, predicting between 13 and 18 named storms. As the situation develops, local and regional authorities continue to monitor the storm’s path and provide public safety updates.