Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica and Haiti as Major Category 4 Storm

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a major Category 4 hurricane, posing a significant threat to Jamaica and Haiti with the potential for catastrophic flooding and destructive winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued urgent warnings as the storm continues to strengthen, with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly across the northern Caribbean region.

Current Storm Status and Projections

As of Sunday morning, Hurricane Melissa was centered approximately 110 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 280 miles south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and is moving westward at a slow pace of just 3 mph. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, this slow movement significantly increases the flooding risk as the storm will linger over affected areas for extended periods.

Immediate Threats to Jamaica

The hurricane center projects Melissa will reach Jamaica's southern coast as a major hurricane late Monday or Tuesday morning. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a stern warning to citizens, stating, "I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously. Take all measures to protect yourself." The slow-moving nature of the storm means it could drop torrential rains of up to 30 inches across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with some areas potentially receiving as much as 40 inches of rainfall.

Regional Emergency Response

Emergency protocols have been activated across the affected regions. Jamaica's government has closed both major airports - Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. More than 650 shelters have been activated across the island, with officials confirming that warehouses are well-stocked and thousands of food packages have been pre-positioned for rapid distribution if needed.

Broader Caribbean Impact

The hurricane's effects are already being felt across the region, with reports of at least three fatalities in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Haitian authorities report rising river levels, flooding, and a destroyed bridge in Sainte-Suzanne due to breached riverbanks. The storm has damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and knocked out water supply systems affecting more than half a million customers.

The hurricane center warns that extensive damage to infrastructure, power and communication outages, and the isolation of communities in Jamaica are expected. Melissa is projected to move near or over Cuba by late Tuesday before heading toward the Bahamas later Wednesday, potentially bringing tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.