Melissa Is Churning Toward Cuba as Jamaica Tries to Assess Its Destruction
Tracking Hurricane Melissa- Photo credit National Weather Service
Kingston, Jamaica — As of Wednesday morning, the NHC reported that Melissa had weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane, moving north-northwest at 10 mph (16 km/h) away from Jamaica’s coast.
The storm is expected to brush eastern Cuba before curving toward the southern Bahamas later this week, bringing the risk of life-threatening storm surges, torrential rains, and flash floods across the northern Caribbean basin.
Meteorologists warn that even as Melissa exits Jamaica, after-effects such as flooding, power outages, and mudslides continue to threaten recovery efforts.
Hurricane Melissa has battered Jamaica’s southwest coast as a Category 5 storm, unleashing catastrophic winds, torrential rain, and storm surges that have left at least three people dead and thousands displaced, according to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). The storm made landfall late Monday near New Hope, St Elizabeth, with sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 km/h) and central pressure below 900 millibars, making it one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the Caribbean.
Officials declared a national disaster after the hurricane caused widespread destruction across the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and St Elizabeth, leaving over 530,000 residents without power and more than 15,000 people seeking shelter in emergency facilities.
The combination of hurricane-force winds, torrential rainfall, and 13-foot storm surges flattened homes, uprooted trees, and swept away cars and bridges.
Entire communities in Jamaica’s central and southern parishes have been cut off as floodwaters submerged major roads and landslides blocked mountain passes.
Emergency officials said rescuers are struggling to reach several towns that remain inaccessible by road. “This is one of the worst natural disasters Jamaica has faced in decades,” said ODPEM Director-General Richard Thompson. “Our immediate focus is on saving lives, restoring essential services, and providing relief for displaced residents.”
Thousands of foreign tourists were left stranded as Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay were shut down ahead of the storm. The Jamaica Tourist Board confirmed that several coastal resorts sustained “significant structural damage” and communication with some hotel districts has been temporarily lost. Ferry services between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands have also been suspended indefinitely.
Prime Minister Mark Golding has declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the deployment of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) to assist with evacuations and security. “The scale of damage is immense,” Golding said in a televised address. “We are working closely with our regional partners and the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian aid and restoration support.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that temporary shelters have been opened in all parishes, while relief supplies are being distributed with assistance from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have all pledged emergency assistance, including rescue teams, food, and medical supplies.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least seven people have died across the Caribbean including three in Jamaica, two in Haiti, and two in the Dominican Republic while more than 50,000 people may require long-term relocation.
Public health officials are also warning of potential waterborne diseases as floodwaters mix with sewage in low-lying communities.
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