Hurricane Melissa intensified into a catastrophic category 5 storm on Monday, threatening the northern Caribbean with severe winds and flooding. Jamaica's government has ordered mandatory evacuations in vulnerable areas, including parts of the capital, Kingston.
The US National Hurricane Centre reported that Melissa was located about 125 miles south-southwest of Kingston, with maximum sustained winds of 145mph. The storm is moving slowly westward at 5mph, raising concerns about prolonged rainfall and flooding.
Jamaican authorities have closed both international airports and activated 881 shelters. Local government minister Desmond McKenzie warned that many communities would not survive the flooding, urging residents to take the threat seriously. Prime Minister Andrew Holness ordered evacuations for Port Royal, Old Harbour Bay, and five other areas.
Despite official warnings, some residents in Port Royal have chosen to stay. Ann Marie Chamberlain, 51, said they had taken precautions and felt safer at home, citing past negative experiences in shelters. Derrick Powell, 42, echoed her sentiments, stating that residents who had used shelters previously would not return.
The storm is expected to drop up to 30 inches of rain on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with some areas possibly receiving 40 inches. Experts warn of extensive infrastructure damage, power outages, and community isolation. Melissa has already killed three people in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with another person missing.
After passing Jamaica, Melissa is forecast to move toward Cuba by late Tuesday and then the Bahamas. Cuba has issued hurricane watches for several provinces. The slow-moving storm is expected to persist for several days, raising fears of a catastrophic natural disaster.
