Melissa Near Jamaica: Catastrophic Threat Looms
Introduction
Hurricane Melissa intensified rapidly in the Caribbean, reaching the upper end of the Saffir-Simpson scale and approaching Jamaica with warnings of catastrophic impacts. Officials have urged residents to heed evacuations and shelter-in-place orders as the storm’s slow movement promises prolonged rainfall, life-threatening floods, and dangerous winds. Context and Forecast
Melissa’s trajectory places Jamaica at the center of a potential historic strike. Forecasters have warned that the combination of extreme rainfall, coastal surge, and powerful winds could lead to widespread infrastructure damage, prolonged power outages, and dangerous landslides in vulnerable terrain. As the system tracks westward, its timing suggests Jamaica could experience severe conditions over a multi-day window with peak impacts focused around landfall and the subsequent slowdown in motion. Impacts Expected in Jamaica Rainfall: Projections indicate multi-day rainfall totals that could reach or exceed ex…
