Hurricane Melissa has made a historic and catastrophic landfall in Jamaica, marking the most powerful storm ever to hit the island nation. The Category 5 hurricane roared ashore in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday with sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 km/h) and a central pressure near 892 millibars, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The powerful storm brought torrential rains, flash flooding, deadly storm surges, and destructive winds that tore through homes, power lines, and coastal infrastructure. Officials described the impact as “unprecedented,” with several southern parishes—including St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon—experiencing complete devastation. Thousands of residents have been evacuated, while many others remain stranded as rescue teams struggle to reach flooded areas.
The storm surge, reaching up to 13 feet (4 meters) in some coastal zones, submerged neighborhoods and swept away vehicles. In Kingston and Montego Bay, power outages and communication failures left large parts of the cities in darkness. Emergency shelters across the island are filled to capacity as the government races to provide aid and assess the full scale of the damage.
Early reports confirm at least three fatalities in Jamaica, with authorities warning that the number may rise as search and rescue operations continue. Hospitals in several regions suffered structural damage or power loss, forcing emergency crews to relocate patients. Jamaica’s Prime Minister called the storm “the worst natural disaster in modern history” and appealed for international assistance.
Meteorologists describe Hurricane Melissa as a “storm of the century,” driven by abnormally warm sea temperatures and rapid intensification—a phenomenon scientists increasingly link to climate change. Within just 36 hours, Melissa strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, fueled by ocean waters exceeding 30°C (86°F).
After devastating Jamaica, Melissa is now tracking toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas, where hurricane warnings have been issued. Forecasters warn that even as the storm weakens slightly, it will remain extremely dangerous due to heavy rainfall and widespread flooding.
The long-term effects on Jamaica’s economy could be severe. Agriculture—particularly banana and sugarcane crops—has been heavily damaged. Major roads and bridges have collapsed, and early estimates suggest billions of dollars in reconstruction costs. International aid organizations, including the Red Cross and United Nations relief teams, are mobilizing to assist with recovery efforts.
As the Caribbean braces for further impacts, Hurricane Melissa serves as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. For Jamaica, it is not just another storm—it is a defining moment in the nation’s history and a powerful wake-up call about the rising threats of a warming world.
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