Hurricane Melissa Targets Jamaica as Strongest Storm on Record

Hurricane Melissa is poised to make landfall in Jamaica on March 12, 2024, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, marking it as the strongest hurricane recorded to strike the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago. Forecasters predict that the storm will approach the southern coast near St. Elizabeth parish and exit through St. Ann parish in the north, bringing with it devastating winds and heavy rainfall.

In preparation for the impending disaster, Jamaican authorities have issued warnings of potential catastrophic damage. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5. The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge.” The government has been proactive in its response, but officials expect the cleanup and damage assessment process to be lengthy due to anticipated landslides and widespread power outages.

As of now, Hurricane Melissa has caused significant concern with forecasts predicting between 15 to 30 inches of rain across Jamaica, and up to 40 inches in some areas. The National Hurricane Center has warned of “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides,” with southern Hispaniola also expected to receive significant rainfall. In eastern Cuba, total rainfall could reach 20 inches, raising alarms for life-threatening flooding.

The storm’s impact is already being felt, with reports of seven fatalities across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica. Currently, Melissa is located about 135 miles southwest of Kingston, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph. This wind speed is substantially above the 157 mph threshold required to classify a storm as a Category 5.

Jamaican officials have taken steps to protect vulnerable populations. Health Minister Christopher Tufton reported that some patients have been relocated from ground-level hospital facilities to higher floors in anticipation of storm surges that could reach up to 13 feet. “We hope that will suffice for any surge that will take place,” he stated.

Despite government evacuations in flood-prone areas, many families are choosing to shelter in place. Colin Bogle, an advisor with Mercy Corps, noted the fear among residents who have never faced a storm of this magnitude. “There is profound fear of losing homes and livelihoods, of injury, and of displacement,” he remarked.

Post-storm recovery efforts are already being planned. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water and Environment, mentioned that he has more than 50 generators ready for deployment after the storm passes. He urged citizens to conserve clean water, stating, “Every drop will count.”

Melissa is expected to make its way toward Cuba late Tuesday, prompting evacuations of over 600,000 people from vulnerable areas, including the city of Santiago, the second-largest on the island. A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguin, while tropical storm warnings are active in Las Tunas.

As the storm continues its path, the U.S. State Department has issued travel alerts for Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas, advising American citizens to consider evacuation while flights are still available or to prepare to shelter in place.

The impact of Hurricane Melissa is expected to escalate over the coming days, with its trajectory likely to affect the southeast Bahamas by Wednesday evening. As communities brace for the storm’s arrival, the focus remains on safeguarding lives and minimizing damage in the face of this unprecedented weather event.