Hurricane Warning Issued for Jamaica as Storm Melissa Intensifies
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. forecasters have issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica as Storm Melissa reached hurricane strength on Saturday, threatening catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean.
A hurricane warning means winds of at least 74 mph (119 kph) are expected in the area within 36 hours. Melissa is “likely starting to rapidly intensify and expected to become a major hurricane tomorrow,” according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Saturday afternoon. At that time, Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph).
The slow-moving storm is forecast to bring torrential rain—up to 25 inches (64 centimeters)—to Jamaica, the NHC said. Similar warnings were issued for southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday, where life-threatening flooding and landslides are possible. The Tiburon Peninsula in southwestern Haiti could receive up to 35 inches (89 centimeters) of catastrophic rain, the center warned.
The Cuban government issued a hurricane watch Saturday afternoon for the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin.
Storm’s Slow Progress Causes Concern
The erratic and slow-moving storm has already claimed at least three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.
“Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, it is increasingly dire,” said Jamie Rhome, the NHC’s deputy director, earlier on Saturday. He added that the storm would continue to move slowly for up to four days.
As of Saturday, Melissa was located about 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and approximately 250 miles (405 kilometers) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It was moving westward at a slow 3 mph (6 kph).
Currently, a hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica, while a hurricane watch remains for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti. Forecasters expect Melissa’s center to move near or over Jamaica early next week.
Forecast and Preparations
Melissa is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by Sunday and possibly reach Category 4 intensity by early Monday. It is forecast to impact eastern Cuba early Wednesday, with some areas potentially receiving up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain.
In response, Jamaican authorities announced that Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will close at 8 p.m. local time Saturday. It remains unclear whether Sangster Airport in Montego Bay, on the island’s western side, will also close.
More than 650 shelters have been activated across Jamaica. Officials confirmed that warehouses are well-stocked and thousands of food packages have been prepositioned for rapid distribution if needed.
“I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take all measures to protect yourself.”
The hurricane center emphasized the severity of the situation in a key message Saturday afternoon: “Jamaica prep should be completed today. Melissa’s slow motion brings multi-day damaging winds plus heavy rainfall, catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, damage, long-duration power communication outages, isolation.”
Impact in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Haitian authorities reported three deaths due to the hurricane and five injuries caused by a collapsed wall. Rising river levels, flooding, and a destroyed bridge caused by breached riverbanks were reported in Sainte-Suzanne, in northeast Haiti.
“The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it’s moving,” said Ronald Délice, Haitian department director of civil protection, as local officials organized food kit distribution lines. However, many residents remain reluctant to evacuate their homes.
In the Dominican Republic, nearly 200 homes have been damaged, and water supply systems serving over half a million people have been disrupted. The storm also downed trees and traffic lights, triggered minor landslides, and left more than two dozen communities isolated by floodwaters.
Warnings for the Bahamas and Beyond
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to the Southeast and Central Bahamas as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.
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 previously predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms.