Jamaica is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm and the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the island’s history, barrels toward the Caribbean nation. Government officials are urging residents to stay indoors, warning that the storm could bring catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and life-threatening storm surges across much of the island.
Category 5 Monster Storm to Hit Jamaica Early Tuesday
According to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Melissa was located approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of Kingston late Monday night, with maximum sustained winds reaching 282 km/h (175 mph).
The storm is expected to make landfall near St. Elizabeth Parish in southern Jamaica early Tuesday before moving northward and exiting near St. Ann Parish.
“This is the strongest storm Jamaica has ever faced,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned during a late-night address. “I urge all Jamaicans to remain indoors and stay safe. Strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flash floods can strike without warning. Staying home is the safest option — it saves lives and reduces the burden on our emergency services.”
Government Mobilizes for Massive Disaster Response
Local Government and Community Development Minister Desmond McKenzie said authorities had activated 881 emergency shelters nationwide, although some remained underutilized.
“We’ve done everything possible — from clearing drains and gullies to stocking shelters and educating the public,” McKenzie told Al Jazeera. “Now it’s a matter of seeing what the outcome of Melissa will be.”
Officials have also warned of a storm surge up to four meters (13 feet) along Jamaica’s southern coast, capable of submerging coastal communities and damaging infrastructure. Power outages, fallen trees, and landslides have already been reported ahead of the hurricane’s landfall.
Death Toll Rises Across the Caribbean
Before even striking Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa has already claimed seven lives across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Another person remains missing, according to regional disaster agencies.
Meteorologists say part of the storm’s destructive potential comes from its slow forward motion, moving at just 5 km/h (3 mph) — slower than most people walk. That means communities in its path could endure hours of unrelenting winds and torrential rainfall, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.
“I’m Not Moving”: Some Jamaicans Refuse to Evacuate
Despite repeated government appeals to evacuate flood-prone areas, many residents are choosing to stay behind.
“I’m not moving. I don’t believe I can run from death,” said Roy Brown, a plumber from Port Royal, in an interview with AFP. He said his past experiences with overcrowded and poorly equipped hurricane shelters made him hesitant to leave home.
In St. Elizabeth Parish, store owner Enrico Coke opened his shop to provide refuge for neighbors. “Farmers and fishermen will suffer after this. We’ll need help immediately — especially water for the people,” he said.
Disaster response organizations such as Mercy Corps report that most families are sheltering in place. “There is profound fear of losing homes and livelihoods,” said Colin Bogle, a Mercy Corps adviser near Kingston. “Many have never experienced anything like this before.”
Melissa to Bring Heavy Rainfall and Storm Surge to Cuba and the Bahamas
After hitting Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is expected to move toward eastern Cuba late Tuesday, bringing up to 510 mm (20 inches) of rainfall and severe coastal flooding.
The Cuban government has begun evacuating over 600,000 people, including residents of Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín provinces, while the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands are under tropical storm warnings.
Climate Change and Rapid Storm Intensification
Meteorologists warn that Hurricane Melissa’s explosive growth from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 48 hours is consistent with a troubling trend: rapid intensification fueled by warmer ocean waters.
“Human-caused climate change is making all the worst aspects of Hurricane Melissa even worse,” said climate scientist Daniel Gilford.
According to atmospheric expert Kerry Emanuel, the warming of the Atlantic and Caribbean seas means hurricanes now draw more energy and moisture, producing stronger winds and heavier rainfall. “Water kills a lot more people than wind,” Emanuel told AFP.
The last major storm to devastate Jamaica was Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which also broke intensity records for that month. But Hurricane Melissa has surpassed it in both wind strength and size, posing unprecedented challenges for Jamaica’s emergency response system.
Jamaicans Brace for Long Night Ahead
As the island braces for the full force of Hurricane Melissa, emergency workers continue to patrol high-risk areas and assist in last-minute evacuations.
“This is going to be a long and difficult night,” Prime Minister Holness said. “Our priority is to save lives, protect our people, and begin rebuilding as soon as the danger passes.”
Residents are urged to monitor official updates from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and to avoid traveling or venturing outdoors until authorities declare it safe.
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