"The people of Jamaica are making emergency preparations on Monday as Hurricane Melissa intensified overnight, with meteorologists in awe of the scale and shape of the " monster " storm now bearing down on the island nation, already saturated from previous rains and bracing for what could be a major climate-related catastrophe. In a 5:00 am EDT advisory on Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Melissa is "now a Category 5 Hurricane" and warned of "destructive winds and storm surge and catastrophic flooding" that would worsen across Jamaica throughout the day and into the night. Landfall is expected Tuesday morning, with devastating consequences across the island nation."
"The storm, reports the Weather Channel, "will be one of the most intense, devastating hurricanes on record in Jamaica, with widespread flooding, landslides, and destructive winds." Some areas of eastern Jamaica could be inundated with up to 40 inches of rain, more than some areas of the country typically get in a year. Wind speeds in mountainous areas could be 30% higher that the main storm, meaning potential winds of more than 200 mph."
"With Cuba, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Haiti also within reach of the storm's impacts, governments across the region are ordering evacuations of the most vulnerable areas and preparing infrastructure for the rescue and recovery operations from the life-threatening destruction almost certain to be unleashed."
Hurricane Melissa intensified to a Category 5 storm overnight, posing catastrophic threats to Jamaica including destructive winds, storm surge, and widespread flooding. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned conditions will worsen across the island through Monday night, with landfall projected Tuesday morning. Some eastern areas could receive up to 40 inches of rain, while mountainous zones may face winds about 30% stronger than the main storm, potentially exceeding 200 mph. Cuba, the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Haiti are also at risk, prompting evacuations and preparedness measures across the region.
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