Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a significant Category 3 hurricane as of late Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall and posing a severe risk of catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, particularly affecting Haiti and Jamaica.
Melissa was classified as a hurricane on Saturday and quickly escalated into a major storm. U.S. meteorologists have issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica, indicating that Melissa may further escalate to a Category 4 hurricane.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami has warned that “life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are anticipated in parts of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through early next week.”
As of late Saturday night, Melissa was located approximately 125 miles (200 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and around 280 miles (455 kilometers) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) and was advancing westward at a speed of 3 mph (6 kph), according to the hurricane center.
The slow-moving storm is expected to deliver heavy rainfall, with totals reaching up to 25 inches (64 centimeters) in Jamaica, as reported by the hurricane center. The Tiburon peninsula in southwestern Haiti could experience up to 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain.
On Saturday afternoon, the Cuban government issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin.
Storm’s sluggish movement
The unpredictable and slow-moving storm has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another person reported missing.
“Regrettably, for regions along the anticipated path of this storm, the situation is becoming increasingly severe,” stated Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the center, earlier on Saturday. He noted that the storm is expected to continue its slow movement for up to four days.
Melissa is projected to impact eastern Cuba early Wednesday, with some areas potentially receiving up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rainfall.
Authorities in Jamaica announced on Saturday that the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will cease operations at 8 p.m. local time. There was no indication regarding the closure of the Sangster airport in Montego Bay, located on the western side of the island.
Over 650 shelters have been activated throughout Jamaica. Officials reported that warehouses across the island are well-stocked, with thousands of food packages prepositioned for rapid distribution if necessary.
“I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously,” stated Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take all measures to protect yourself.”
Rising river levels
Haitian authorities reported that three individuals have lost their lives as a result of the hurricane, with an additional five injured due to a collapsed wall. There are also accounts of increasing river levels, flooding, and a bridge being destroyed as a result of breached riverbanks in Sainte-Suzanne, located in the northeast.
“The storm is causing significant concern due to its movement,” remarked Ronald Délice, a director of civil protection in Haiti, as local authorities organized queues to distribute food kits. Many residents remain hesitant to evacuate their homes.
The storm has caused damage to nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and disrupted water supply systems, impacting over half a million customers. It has also downed trees and traffic lights, triggered several small landslides, and left more than two dozen communities isolated by floodwaters.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology indicated that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to the islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, by early next week.
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had forecasted an above-normal season, predicting 13 to 18 named storms.
