Hurricane Melissa rapidly strengthened into a potentially catastrophic storm in the Caribbean overnight, according to U.S. forecasters’ early Sunday warning. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that Melissa had reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale with maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h.
Forecasters based in Miami mentioned that Melissa is set to further intensify during the day and is expected to make landfall in Jamaica either Monday night or Tuesday morning. Moving westward at a speed of seven km/h on Saturday night, the storm was positioned about 195 kilometers southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.
Jamaica is under a hurricane warning, while portions of Haiti’s southwestern peninsula and southeastern Cuba are under hurricane watches. The forecast suggests that Jamaica could experience up to 1,000 millimeters of rainfall by Wednesday, with similar conditions anticipated in the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Sunday. Potential life-threatening flooding and landslides are a concern, with southwestern Haiti possibly facing up to 700 millimeters of rain.
Eastern Cuba is also bracing for the impact as up to 30 centimeters of rainfall could occur in certain areas by early Wednesday. The slow-moving storm has already claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with additional individuals reported missing.
Authorities in Jamaica have issued warnings, stating that airport closures will follow within 24 hours of a hurricane warning. Over 650 shelters have been activated, and preparations are in place with well-stocked warehouses and food packages ready for distribution as needed.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting the potential for prolonged damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, and disruptions to power and communication systems in Jamaica.
Haitian officials reported casualties and injuries, with concerns over rising river levels and infrastructure damage. The storm’s impact has been felt in the Dominican Republic, where numerous homes were damaged, water supplies disrupted, and communities isolated by floodwaters.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned of potential tropical storm or hurricane conditions in specific islands by early next week as Melissa continues to pose a threat. Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, aligning with earlier predictions of an above-normal season by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.