Kingston, Jamaica – Families across western Jamaica are enduring life-threatening conditions as Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm, continues to batter the island with catastrophic winds, flash floods, and dangerous storm surges. The hurricane has since weakened slightly to a Category 4, but authorities warn that the threat to life and property remains severe.
At 5 p.m., the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Melissa’s eye near latitude 18.2°N, longitude 78.0°W, about 20 miles south-southwest of Montego Bay. The hurricane is moving north-northeast at 8 mph (13 km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a central pressure of 899 mb.
Emergency officials are urging residents to stay in secure shelters, noting that entire structures could fail along Melissa’s path. In elevated areas, winds could be up to 30 per cent stronger, making evacuation impossible once conditions worsen.
In communities across Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas, residents face an additional danger from heavy rains and flooding that may drive crocodiles out of rivers, gullies, and swamps, potentially putting people at risk. The South East Regional Health Authority warned that rising water levels could force these animals into nearby residential areas in search of dry ground.
In Port Antonio, fisherfolk have done their best to secure boats, but many have had to leave their homes entirely, moving to shelters as the storm bears down. Downed lines and power outages are already being reported.
Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon announced the launch of supportjamaica.gov.jm, the government’s official platform to mobilize donations, track emergencies, and coordinate recovery efforts. She cautioned the public to avoid fraudulent fundraising websites that do not end in .gov.jm.
Warnings remain in effect for Jamaica, eastern and central Cuba—including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas—and the southeastern and central Bahamas. Tropical storm warnings extend to Haiti, Camaguey, Cuba, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The NHC predicts that Melissa will move across western Jamaica later today before entering the Caribbean Sea and striking southeastern Cuba early Wednesday. The storm is expected to pass through southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday.
Melissa is forecast to bring 15 to 30 inches of rain to Jamaica, with isolated totals of up to 40 inches, triggering catastrophic flooding and landslides. Eastern Cuba could receive 10 to 25 inches, while the southeastern Bahamas may see 5 to 10 inches of rainfall.
Coastal communities face storm surges of 9 to 13 feet along Jamaica’s south coast, with destructive waves already battering homes and infrastructure. Southeastern Cuba could see surges of 8 to 12 feet, and the southeastern Bahamas 5 to 8 feet. Swells generated by Melissa are producing life-threatening surf and rip currents across Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, with hazardous conditions expected to spread to the Bahamas and Bermuda later this week.
Authorities are urging everyone in affected areas to remain indoors, avoid floodwaters, and follow official updates as Hurricane Melissa continues its deadly path.
