Hurricane Melissa Set to Strike Jamaica as Most Powerful Storm Recorded

Hurricane Melissa is poised to impact Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, marking the most powerful hurricane to strike the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago. The storm is forecasted to make landfall early on March 5, 2024, near St. Elizabeth parish in the south, before cutting diagonally across the island and exiting around St. Ann parish in the north, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In preparation for the storm’s arrival, the Jamaican government has issued warnings of potential catastrophic damage. Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented, “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.”

Warnings and Preparedness Efforts

As Hurricane Melissa approaches, reports indicate landslides, fallen trees, and significant power outages across the nation. The storm is expected to deliver between 15 to 30 inches of rain to various areas of Jamaica and 6 to 12 inches to southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The hurricane center cautioned that some locations could receive up to 40 inches of rain, leading to “catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides.”

For eastern Cuba, total rainfall could reach 10 to 20 inches, with isolated areas possibly receiving as much as 25 inches from March 4 to March 6. This rainfall poses a risk of “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding,” officials warned. The southeastern Bahamas can expect 5 to 10 inches of rain, also increasing the likelihood of flash flooding.

A storm surge of up to 13 feet is anticipated along southern Jamaica, raising concerns about the impact on coastal hospitals. Health Minister Christopher Tufton reported that some patients were moved from ground floors to upper levels in anticipation of the surge, stating, “We hope that will suffice for any surge that will take place.”

Impact and Response

As of now, Hurricane Melissa has been linked to seven fatalities in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another individual is reported missing. The hurricane was located approximately 135 miles southwest of Kingston and 310 miles southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, with maximum sustained winds reaching 175 mph.

Jamaica’s meteorological service principal director, Evan Thompson, assured the public, “We will get through it together.” Despite evacuation orders in flood-prone communities, many families are sheltering in place, reflecting a mix of fear and uncertainty about the storm’s impact. Colin Bogle, an advisor with Mercy Corps, noted, “Many have never experienced anything like this before, and the uncertainty is frightening.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Water and Environment, Matthew Samuda, highlighted the availability of over 50 generators for deployment after the storm passes, but warned residents to conserve clean water, stating, “Every drop will count.”

Hurricane Melissa is also expected to affect eastern Cuba later on March 5, where evacuation efforts are underway for over 600,000 people from regions including Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city. A hurricane warning is currently in effect for several provinces, including Granma and Santiago de Cuba.

The U.S. State Department issued travel alerts on March 4 for Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Bahamas, advising U.S. citizens to consider leaving while flights remain available or to be prepared to shelter in place. Additionally, a Hurricane Hunters aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had to abort its mission on March 4 due to severe turbulence encountered in the storm’s southwestern eyewall.

As Hurricane Melissa continues its trajectory, communities across Jamaica and nearby regions brace for what could be a historic and devastating storm.