Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a category 5 storm, threatening Jamaica with catastrophic winds, flooding, and storm surge. The US National Hurricane Center warned that the storm could bring life-threatening conditions to the island on Monday night and Tuesday. Melissa is moving northwest at just 2mph, with maximum sustained winds of 175mph.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he had been “on my knees in prayer” as the storm approached. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in flood-prone areas, with buses ferrying residents to shelters. However, fewer than 1,000 people had taken refuge in over 130 shelters, worrying officials.
Parts of eastern Jamaica could see up to 30 inches of rain, while western Haiti may receive 16 inches, leading to catastrophic flash flooding and landslides. Storm surge of up to 13 feet is expected along the south coast. The storm is on track to hit Cuba later Tuesday, then head toward the Bahamas.
In Cuba, a hurricane warning is in effect for several provinces, with up to 20 inches of rain forecast. Officials plan to evacuate more than 600,000 people, including from Santiago, the second-largest city. The storm has already been blamed for seven deaths in the northern Caribbean.
Some residents chose to stay despite warnings. Jamal Peters, a hotel manager in Port Royal, said Jamaicans prefer to remain and prepare, as this is not their first hurricane. Jason Henzell, a hotel chairman in Treasure Beach, noted that despite his efforts to encourage evacuation, some residents opted to stay.
