Kingston: Hurricane Melissa has lashed Jamaica with sustained winds reaching 175 mph, marking one of the most powerful hurricanes on record for the Caribbean island.
The Category 5 storm, classified as ‘catastrophic’ by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), has continued moving slowly across the Caribbean, heightening fears of widespread damage and flooding.
As of October 27 afternoon, the hurricane has hovered over unusually warm Caribbean waters, which have fuelled its rapid intensification and massive size. The NHC has stated that Melissa is expected to pass over Jamaica late October 27 or early October 28 before tracking toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas by midweek.
Forecasters have warned that Melissa’s slow pace could lead to devastating rainfall of up to 3 feet, causing flash floods and landslides in low-lying areas. The storm’s wind field now spans a distance greater than the length of Jamaica, a nation roughly the size of Connecticut, where airports and key infrastructure lie close to sea level.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered mandatory evacuations across southern Jamaica, including the historic town of Port Royal. Authorities have arranged transport for around 28,000 residents affected by evacuation orders. Holness has called for international support, warning that farmlands, homes, and essential facilities such as bridges, ports, and airports could suffer severe damage.
Meteorologists have noted that the hurricane’s development mirrors a concerning trend of storms intensifying more rapidly due to warmer sea surface temperatures linked to climate change. Last year’s Hurricane Beryl, the fastest Atlantic storm to reach Category 5, caused significant damage across the region.
AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter stated that tens of thousands of families in Jamaica are facing extreme wind gusts exceeding 100 mph and prolonged torrential rainfall. Experts have warned that infrastructure damage may delay the delivery of aid in the aftermath of the hurricane.
This hurricane has once again underscored the increasing intensity of tropical storms across the Caribbean, urging nations to reinforce disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies.
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