Hurricane Melissa May Trigger Severe Flooding in Jamaica and Haiti

As of Sunday, Hurricane Melissa has intensified to a Category 4 hurricane, producing heavy rainfall with predictions of dangerous flooding and landslides in the northern Caribbean, reports the National Hurricane Center based in Miami.

The center warns that these hazardous conditions could be life-threatening and may have catastrophic outcomes, particularly affecting Haiti and Jamaica. There is potential for Melissa to escalate further to a Category 5 storm.

Weather forecasts indicate that Melissa is on course to approach the southern shore of Jamaica either late Monday or early Tuesday. Authorities have strongly advised residents on the island to find safety immediately.

Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, emphasized the danger posed by the weather system, urging citizens to undertake necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

This could be one of the most powerful hurricanes to impact Jamaica, as noted by meteorologist Andrew Kozak from CBS News.

Projections from the hurricane center suggest that Jamaica and southern regions of Hispaniola could receive up to 30 inches of rain, with isolated areas potentially experiencing as much as 40 inches.

The storm is expected to cause significant disruptions to infrastructure, with possible power failures and communication outages creating isolated communities across Jamaica.

Widespread Impact Expected

Melissa is predicted to pass close to or over Cuba by late Tuesday, likely delivering up to 12 inches of rainfall before continuing its path toward the Bahamas on Wednesday.

The Cuban authorities have responded with a hurricane watch in provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin as of Saturday afternoon.

Tragic Toll on Hispaniola

At least four lives have been claimed by the slow-moving and unpredictable storm—three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another individual reported missing.

According to Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the hurricane center, the forecast remains grave for areas situated along the storm’s path, with slow movement expected to persist for several days.

In anticipation of the storm, Jamaican officials have announced the closure of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston from 8 p.m. local time on Saturday. No updates have been provided regarding closures at Montego Bay's Sangster Airport.

Jamaica has activated over 650 shelters, and supplies including food packages have been strategically positioned to aid distribution should humanitarian needs arise.

Communities at Risk

Haitian authorities report three fatalities and five injuries related to the hurricane. Rising rivers, surging floods, and a destroyed bridge in Sainte-Suzanne have compounded the region's difficulties.

There is significant concern about the storm's development, as expressed by Ronald Délice with Haiti's civil protection department, while local officials coordinate food aid distributions. Despite dangers, many locals are hesitant to vacate their homes.

The Dominican Republic has seen considerable destruction, with approximately 200 homes damaged. Water supply service disruptions have affected over half a million residents, with additional reports of fallen trees, minor landslides, and at least two dozen communities left isolated by flooding.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology forecasts potential tropical storm or hurricane impacts on the Southeast and Central Bahamas along with the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.

Melissa marks the thirteenth named storm in the Atlantic's hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecasted an above-average season with 13 to 18 named storms expected.