Hurricane Melissa is a powerful storm with destructive Category IV winds which entered its Sunday strengthening stage and moved ominously toward Jamaica and the adjoining Caribbean islands. The Meteorologists warned about catastrophic flooding and landslides due to high winds, urging immediate sheltering for the residents and the storm claimed four lives already in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as torrential rains and landslides battered these vulnerable communities.
Slow-Moving Storm Raises Alarm
The fast-moving hurricanes, Melissa here inches at three miles an hour prolonging the risk of a harmful setup of incessant rainfall and widespread flooding. According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the maximum sustained winds were estimated to be around 140 miles per hour with forecasts issuing a potential escalation to a Category 5 hurricane. The experts warn about the potential life-threatening situation posed by this combination of slow movement and torrential rainfall for Jamaica and nearby regions.
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Humanitarian Stops & Emergency Measures
The storm has claimed lives including a 79-year-old man in the Dominican Republic and three others in Haiti and in Jamaica the authorities have shut down the international airport in Kingston and seaports in an effort to minimize risk. Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged fishermen and coastal residents to remain in safe harbor as local governments activated emergency response protocols. Evacuated residents in affected areas left their homes and belongings to seek higher ground.
Hurricane Melissa: Projected Path & Rainfall
Hurricane Melissa is projected to make landfall in Jamaica on Monday night or Tuesday morning, possibly dropping up to 40 inches of rain in parts of Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The storm is expected to continue toward southeastern Cuba before making a turn northeast into the Atlantic Ocean. Low-level threats are currently anticipated for the U.S. although the hurricane’s trajectory is under continuous surveillance by international weather agencies.
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Implications & Historical Context
Melissa becomes the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season running from June to November. The hurricane highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather which brings back memories of last year’s storm Beryl caused deaths and flooding in Jamaica in July. The authorities maintain that preparation and caution will be necessary since slow-moving, high-intensity storms such as Melissa represent a prolonged grave threat to life, property and infrastructure across the Caribbean.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Follow official weather alerts and instructions from local authorities during Hurricane Melissa.
