One of Melissa’s greatest threats is the storm surge — expected to reach 9 to 13 feet along Jamaica’s southern coast.
That’s as high as a full-grown African elephant standing on solid ground, representing an enormous mass of seawater pushed inland by the storm’s fierce winds.
But this won’t be calm floodwater. These surging waves, whipped by 175 mph winds, will crash violently over coastal areas, turning streets into raging torrents — conditions impossible to survive for anyone caught in their path.
As Hurricane Melissa edges closer, Jamaica faces not just physical devastation but emotional exhaustion.
“This is a storm that has really been going very slow,” said Michael Taylor, a climate scientist at the University of the West Indies. “Because it’s so slow, it’s going to dump a whole lot of rain — catastrophic rain. There’s a greater opportunity for storm surge and landslides, especially in Jamaica’s hilly interior.”
Melissa’s crawl at just 5 mph (8 km/h) is amplifying fears of flooding, infrastructure collapse, and prolonged stress. “I think the term I want to use is a psychological marathon,” Taylor said. “Even before the storm hit, we were already tired.”
While infrastructure in urban areas like Kingston has improved, rural and informal communities remain highly vulnerable. “Utilities have done their best to be resilient. It’s mixed across the country,” Taylor explained.
Residents are spending the final hours before landfall stocking water, charging devices, and preparing emergency kits. “We’re doing our best to ride this out,” Taylor added.
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