Hurricane Melissa: A Looming Threat in the Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa is on track to become a major hurricane by Sunday, with the National Hurricane Center in Miami warning of severe flooding and landslides in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Current Status and Movement
As of Saturday evening, Melissa, a Category 2 hurricane, was advancing at a slow pace of three miles per hour, with sustained winds reaching 100 miles per hour. This sluggish movement is expected to result in prolonged heavy rainfall across the Caribbean, exacerbating the storm’s dangerous effects.
Warnings and Preparations
A hurricane watch is in place for Haiti, stretching from the Dominican Republic border to Port-au-Prince. By late Saturday, Melissa was positioned approximately 250 miles southwest of the Haitian capital and was approaching Kingston, Jamaica, where a hurricane warning has been issued.
Jamaican authorities, during a Saturday briefing, emphasized the urgency for residents to prepare. Evan Thompson, head of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, cautioned that Melissa could surpass the devastation caused by past storms like Hurricane Wilma in 2005.
Potential Impact and Forecast
Thompson highlighted the storm’s potential to cause “significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods” if predictions hold true. The National Hurricane Center anticipates Melissa will reach Jamaica early next week, with rainfall estimates ranging from 15 to 30 inches in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, and some areas possibly receiving up to 40 inches.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) reported that the National Water Commission has activated emergency protocols. Priority for water delivery by truck will be given to hospitals, children’s homes, and correctional facilities if the water supply is disrupted. Residents are also cautioned about potential crocodile displacement due to flooding.
Casualties and Regional Concerns
In the Dominican Republic, at least one fatality has been reported due to the intense rainfall, while Haiti has seen three deaths from a landslide and a fallen tree. The National Hurricane Center describes the risk of flash flooding and landslides in southwestern Haiti as catastrophic and life-threatening.
Authorities are advising residents in eastern Cuba, the Southeast Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands to remain vigilant. The U.S. Navy has ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel and families from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Hurricane conditions are expected in eastern Cuba from Tuesday into Wednesday, with potential rainfall exceeding one foot.
