Hurricane Melissa Strengthens, Threatens Jamaica and Hispaniola

A tropical storm has escalated into Hurricane Melissa, now classified as a Category 1 storm. The hurricane is currently making its slow approach towards Jamaica, raising significant concerns about the potential for severe flooding and landslides across the region. As of Saturday afternoon, Melissa is packing winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour) and is expected to undergo rapid intensification over the weekend, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The storm is located approximately 145 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, and about 235 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Alarmingly, Melissa is moving at an extremely slow pace of just 1 mile per hour, which could exacerbate the impact of its heavy rainfall. The NHC has warned that both Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, are likely to experience “life-threatening and catastrophic” conditions.

Impending Flood Risks and Preparation Efforts

The NHC anticipates that Melissa could reach major hurricane status, defined as having sustained winds exceeding 111 miles per hour (178 kilometers per hour), by Sunday. Following the storm’s trajectory, hurricane conditions are expected in Jamaica by late Sunday or Monday, with tropical storm conditions already anticipated that evening.

In Haiti, the situation is already dire; three fatalities have been reported this week due to storm bands associated with Melissa, which have triggered landslides across the impoverished nation. The NHC has urged residents in southwestern Haiti to begin immediate preparations to safeguard life and property, as extensive infrastructural damage and prolonged isolation of communities are likely consequences of the storm.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has also advised citizens in flood-prone areas to heed warnings and prepare for possible evacuations. “If you live in an area that was flooded before, expect that it will flood again,” he stated. Reports from local media have shown that roads in Kingston are already experiencing flooding due to the storm’s preliminary rains.

Potential Impact and Historical Context

As Hurricane Melissa continues its path, the NHC estimates that total rainfall could reach between 15 to 25 inches (38 to 64 centimeters) in parts of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, with isolated regions potentially receiving as much as 35 inches. This heavy rainfall poses a serious risk for flooding, especially in the mountainous terrains of eastern Jamaica and western Haiti.

Melissa marks the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from early June to late November. The last significant hurricane to impact Jamaica was Beryl in early July 2024, which resulted in fatalities and substantial damage as it passed near the island’s southern coast.

As the situation develops, both Jamaica and Haiti remain on high alert, bracing for a storm that could leave lasting impacts on their communities and infrastructure.