Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 220 kilometres per hour. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that the hurricane is currently located approximately 180 kilometres south of Kingston, Jamaica, and is projected to make landfall on the island late on March 4, 2024 or early March 5, local time. Following its impact in Jamaica, the storm is expected to move towards southeastern Cuba.
The region braces for catastrophic weather conditions, including heavy flooding, landslides, and dangerous storm surges. Jamaican authorities announced the closure of both international airports as a precautionary measure, activating 881 shelters across the nation to accommodate residents seeking refuge.
During a press conference on Sunday, Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government, highlighted the severity of the situation. “Many of these communities will not survive the flooding,” he stated. “Kingston is extremely low. No community in Kingston is immune.” Authorities are deliberating on the necessity of a mandatory evacuation order, urging residents to leave their homes while offering assistance to those in need.
Despite the warnings, some residents have opted to remain in their homes. Local boat captain Douglas Butler expressed his intention to ride out the storm. “We’re not going to go anywhere. Just sitting down and watching everything, make sure everything’s working good,” Butler said. “As long as I have my food, I can eat. That is the most important thing.”
The NHC forecasts that Jamaica could receive between 40 to 76 centimetres of rain, with local amounts potentially reaching up to 100 centimetres. Eastern Cuba is also expected to experience significant rainfall, with predictions of 25 to 40 centimetres and local totals up to 50 centimetres.
Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon noted the readiness of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide support in the aftermath of the storm. Additionally, several international partners have pledged assistance. “We will experience the intensity of the hurricane tomorrow night, Monday going into Tuesday,” Morris Dixon stated. “This is rainfall we’ve not seen before.”
As Hurricane Melissa approaches, the Caribbean region remains on high alert, with officials urging residents to prepare for severe weather and potential evacuations.
