Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall In Jamaica – Wider Caribbean Braces For Impact

A record-breaking Category 5 large wind is ripping crossed Jamaica pinch sustained winds astir 295 km/h, flattening homes, cutting powerfulness and leaving emergency crews incapable to scope galore communities. 

Meteorological update

Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica arsenic 1 of nan strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded – a catastrophic Category 5 strategy packing sustained winds of astir 295km/h (185mph) and an estimated cardinal unit of 892 millibars. 

The National Hurricane Centre confirmed landfall adjacent nan island’s south-west seashore early Tuesday afternoon, informing that Melissa will “wreak life-threatening demolition crossed Jamaica earlier moving toward Cuba and nan Bahamas”. 

Meteorologists opportunity nan storm’s slow activity intends “an extended play of catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall and utmost flooding.”

Streets underwater – and nary measurement out

In Kingston, Montego Bay and Negril, full streets are reported to beryllium underwater. Trees person been torn from their roots, cars flipped, and roofs sheared off. 

The Jamaican authorities has declared a nationalist emergency, urging group to stay indoors and debar immoderate effort to recreation – moreover erstwhile nan oculus passes overhead. 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that “no infrastructure successful Jamaica is built to withstand a Category 5 large wind of this magnitude.”

Casualties rising crossed nan Caribbean

Initial reports propose astatine slightest 7 fatalities crossed nan region – 3 successful Jamaica, 3 successful Haiti, and 1 successful nan Dominican Republic – though officials expect those numbers to emergence arsenic connection is restored. 

Hospitals successful Kingston are operating connected backup generators, while rescue efforts successful agrarian areas person been suspended owed to 200 km/h gusts and falling debris. 

Footage from a Hurricane Hunters formation into Melissa’s oculus revealed nan seldom seen “colosseum effect” — a striking statement wherever nan clouds emergence and curve inward, creating nan quality of a towering arena.

Walls of h2o and torrents from nan mountains

Storm surges of up to 4 metres (13 feet) are crashing onto Jamaica’s confederate coastline, inundating coastal settlements. 

At nan aforesaid time, meteorologists pass of up to 40 inches (1 metre) of rainfall successful mountainous zones for illustration nan Blue Mountains, triggering landslides and catastrophic flooding. 

“We are facing a dual disaster – nan oversea is rising, and nan hills are collapsing,” said a spokesperson for Jamaica’s disaster guidance agency. 

Cuba and The Bahamas hole for nan worst

After hammering Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is projected to travel connected north-east, threatening eastbound Cuba and nan Bahamas by precocious Wednesday. 

Forecasters opportunity that though immoderate weakening is possible, Melissa will stay an “extremely vulnerable Category 4 aliases 5 hurricane” arsenic it moves crossed nan Caribbean.

Residents successful nan storm’s way are being told to hole for “complete nonaccomplishment of powerfulness and communication,” and to relocate if section authorities bid evacuations. 

Infrastructure paralysed

Flights to and from nan land are cancelled arsenic airports successful Kingston and Montego Bay person been closed indefinitely. And nan country’s main highways are besides impassable owed to flooding and fallen powerfulness lines. 

Global assistance mobilising

The United Nations and Red Cross are preparing emergency shipments of cleanable water, nutrient and aesculapian supplies. 

Several Caribbean governments person pledged support teams erstwhile conditions let safe access. 

But for now, Jamaicans are being urged to enactment put. “Do not spell outside. Do not return risks,” is nan connection from Disaster Management Minister Desmond McKenzie. “This large wind is still tearing crossed our island”.