Hurricane Melissa Strikes Caribbean, Poses Major Flooding Risks

Hurricane Melissa intensified into a major Category 4 storm on October 29, 2023, threatening catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center reported that the hurricane could bring “life-threatening and catastrophic” conditions to parts of both Haiti and Jamaica. As Melissa is forecasted to potentially reach Category 5 status, authorities are urging residents to prepare for severe impacts.

The storm is expected to make landfall along the southern coast of Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself.” Meteorologist Andrew Kozak from CBS News Philadelphia noted that Melissa could become the most powerful hurricane to hit Jamaica.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated, with estimates reaching between 30 and 40 inches for Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The hurricane center has warned of significant damage to infrastructure, power outages, and the isolation of communities throughout Jamaica. By late Tuesday, Melissa is expected to move near or over Cuba, where it could deposit up to 12 inches of rain.

The Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin. The storm has already claimed at least four lives on Hispaniola, including three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person is missing.

As the hurricane progresses slowly, it is raising concerns among local officials. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, expressed that the situation is increasingly dire for regions along the projected path of the storm. Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to linger in the area for several days, exacerbating the risk of flooding.

Jamaican authorities have announced the closure of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston at 20:00 local time. Additionally, more than 650 emergency shelters have been activated across the island, with officials indicating that warehouses are stocked and food packages are prepared for rapid distribution if necessary.

In Haiti, the hurricane has already caused significant damage, with reports of rising river levels and flooding. Officials stated that approximately 200 homes have been damaged in the Dominican Republic alone, in addition to disruptions in water supply affecting over half a million customers. The storm has downed trees, damaged traffic lights, and caused minor landslides, isolating numerous communities.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has cautioned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, by early next week.

Hurricane Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season, forecasting between 13 and 18 named storms. As the situation unfolds, residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to official guidance.