Hurricane Melissa Strengthens To Category 3, Posing Severe Flooding Risks For Jamaica And Haiti

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 3 storm, bringing heavy rain to the northern Caribbean. It poses a severe threat of flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Haiti. Forecasters in the US predict that Melissa will strengthen further, becoming a major hurricane as it approaches Jamaica early next week. The storm is expected to reach Cuba by midweek.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to take the storm seriously, advising them to "take all measures to protect yourself." As of late Saturday night, Melissa was located about 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and approximately 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving west at 3 mph.

The hurricane centre forecasts that Melissa could bring up to 30 inches of rain to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In response, the Cuban government issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin on Saturday afternoon.

The slow-moving nature of Hurricane Melissa has already resulted in fatalities. At least three people have died in Haiti, while one person has died in the Dominican Republic where another remains missing. Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director at the Centre, noted that "unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire," indicating that the storm's slow movement could persist for up to four days.

In Jamaica, authorities announced that Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport would close at 8 pm local time on Saturday. Over 650 shelters have been activated across the island. Officials confirmed that warehouses are well-stocked with thousands of food packages ready for quick distribution if necessary.

Damage and Disruptions

The Dominican Republic has experienced significant damage due to Hurricane Melissa. Nearly 200 homes have been damaged, water supply systems have been disrupted affecting over half a million customers. Additionally, trees and traffic lights have been knocked down, small landslides have occurred, and more than two dozen communities remain isolated by floodwaters.

The situation remains critical as authorities continue monitoring Hurricane Melissa's path and impact on affected regions. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels and adhere to safety instructions provided by local authorities.

With inputs from WAM