Hurricane Melissa has unleashed catastrophic damage across Jamaica, leaving widespread destruction as it moves toward Cuba. The storm, described by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) as the “storm of the century,” made landfall near New Hope, about 62 kilometers south of Montego Bay, with maximum sustained winds reaching 295 km/h (185 mph).
At its peak, Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It has since weakened slightly to a Category 4, but experts warn it remains “extremely dangerous and life-threatening.” The US National Hurricane Centre confirmed that Jamaica endured torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides as the storm tore across the island.
So far, seven fatalities have been reported across the Caribbean three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic—with another person missing. In Jamaica, fallen trees and downed power lines have left many communities without electricity. “We are prepared, but I don’t know if we can be prepared for a Category 5 hurricane,” said Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s local government minister.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimates that 1.5 million Jamaicans could be affected by the hurricane’s aftermath. Emergency services continue to assist stranded residents and tourists, while hotels offer shelter and “distress rates” to those displaced.
Melissa is now moving slowly northwest toward Cuba at about 7 km/h. Cuban authorities have begun large-scale evacuations, relocating over 600,000 people from coastal areas in anticipation of severe flooding and storm surges. Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez called the hurricane “unprecedented” and urged residents to heed safety warnings.
Meteorologists warn that Melissa could bring up to 510mm (20 inches) of rain to parts of Cuba, potentially causing catastrophic flooding. As the hurricane approaches the Bahamas next, experts caution that its slow pace could amplify destruction making it one of the most dangerous storms in recent memory.
