A monstrous Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, placing Jamaica and Cuba on high alert for potentially catastrophic conditions. The storm continues to strengthen as it barrels through the Caribbean, prompting urgent evacuation orders and emergency preparations across the region.
Emergency Measures Activated
Jamaican authorities have declared a state of emergency as the island nation braces for direct impact. Schools and businesses have been shuttered, while evacuation efforts are underway in vulnerable coastal communities. The Jamaican government has established numerous shelters, though concerns remain about capacity and social distancing protocols.
In Cuba, similar emergency preparations are intensifying. The Civil Defence has activated its hurricane response protocol, with particular focus on protecting agricultural areas and securing infrastructure ahead of the storm's anticipated arrival.
Regional Impacts and Warnings
The hurricane's effects are already being felt across the Caribbean basin:
- Haiti and the Dominican Republic experienced significant flooding and power outages as Melissa passed nearby
- Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides in mountainous regions, complicating evacuation routes
- Coastal areas face storm surges of up to 3 metres, threatening widespread inundation
- International flights to affected regions have been cancelled or rerouted
Forecast and Projected Path
Meteorologists warn that Hurricane Melissa could reach Category 5 status as it moves over warm Caribbean waters. Current projections indicate the storm will make landfall in Jamaica within the next 24-36 hours before tracking toward eastern Cuba.
"This is an extremely dangerous hurricane that demands serious attention from all residents in the warning areas," stated a senior meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center. "The combination of destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge poses an extraordinary threat to life and property."
International Response
Emergency response teams from international aid organisations are positioning resources throughout the region. The Red Cross has pre-positioned emergency supplies, while regional neighbours have offered assistance in what could become a major humanitarian operation.
Tourist resorts across the affected islands have implemented emergency protocols, with many guests being evacuated or moved to reinforced shelter facilities. Cruise lines have altered itineraries to avoid the dangerous weather system.
