Hurricane Melissa roared toward Jamaica on Monday as a Category 5 storm packing 165 mph winds, threatening catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction. Forecasters said it could be the most powerful hurricane to strike the island since record-keeping began in 1851.
At least six people have died across the northern Caribbean as Melissa moves toward Jamaica, expected to make landfall Tuesday before sweeping into Cuba and later the Bahamas. The storm is not forecast to impact the United States.
Jamaicans Brace for the Worst
In Kingston, residents scrambled to secure homes and gather supplies. Hanna Mcleod, a 23-year-old hotel receptionist, said she boarded up her windows and stocked up on canned food, candles, and flashlights.
“I just told them to keep the door closed,” she said. “I am definitely worried. This is actually the first time I’ll be experiencing this type of hurricane.”
Meteorologists warned of a 13-foot storm surge along Jamaica’s southern coast, threatening vital infrastructure including Norman Manley International Airport and nearby power plants.
“This can become a true humanitarian crisis very quickly,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather. “There is likely going to be the need for a lot of international support.”
By Monday morning, Melissa was located 145 miles southwest of Kingston and 330 miles southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. It had sustained winds of 165 mph and was crawling west at 3 mph.
A research aircraft monitoring the storm was forced to withdraw after encountering dangerous turbulence, according to FOX 32’s Mike Caplan.
Mandatory Evacuations and Power Outages
Officials ordered mandatory evacuations in seven flood-prone Jamaican communities, though not everyone complied.
“I hear what they say, but I am not leaving,” said Noel Francis, a 64-year-old fisherman in Old Harbor Bay. “I can manage myself.”
His neighbor, Bruce Dawkins, echoed the sentiment, beer in hand and raincoat on.
“I am not going anywhere,” he said, adding that he had already secured his boat.
As winds intensified overnight, power outages were reported across several southern towns.
“My only concern is flooding because we live near the sea,” said Hyacinth White, 49, before her call abruptly disconnected.
A Record Storm for Jamaica
Melissa has already killed three people in Haiti, two in Jamaica, and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.
“Do not gamble with Melissa,” urged Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council. “It’s not a safe bet.”
In eastern Cuba, hurricane warnings were issued for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín provinces, with rainfall totals reaching up to 20 inches. Haiti also remained under a tropical storm warning.
Meteorologist Evan Thompson said damage assessments in Jamaica will likely be delayed due to landslides, flooding, and blocked roads.
He noted that no Category 4 or 5 storm has made landfall in Jamaica in modern history — Hurricane Gilbert (1988) was a Category 3, while Ivan and Beryl reached Category 4 but missed direct landfall.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz issued a stern warning:
“Don’t make foolish decisions. We are in a very, very serious time over the next few days.”
Destruction Across Hispaniola
In the Dominican Republic, where four provinces remain under red alert, schools and government offices were closed Monday. Melissa damaged more than 750 homes and displaced 3,760 people, while floods cut off access to at least 48 communities.
In Haiti, the storm devastated crops across three regions, including 15 hectares of maize, worsening a food crisis affecting 5.7 million people.
“Flooding is obstructing access to farmland and markets, jeopardizing harvests and the winter agricultural season,” warned the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
Melissa is expected to continue dumping heavy rain over Haiti as it tracks northeast, with a hurricane watch in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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