Hurricane Melissa Threatens Caribbean; Leaders Urge Preparedness
Kingston, Jamaica – Hurricane Melissa has grown into a major Category 3 storm, bringing heavy rains to the northern Caribbean. Forecasters in the United States are watching the storm closely, predicting it will strengthen further before it reaches Jamaica early next week. Cuba may also feel the storm’s impact later in the week.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on citizens to be ready. “I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously,” he said, emphasizing the need for personal responsibility and protective measures.
As of late Saturday night, Melissa was located about 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were around 115 mph, and it was moving west at a slow pace.
The storm is expected to bring as much as 30 inches of rain to Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Cuban government has issued a hurricane watch for several of its eastern provinces.
The storm’s slow movement has already caused problems. At least three people have died in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. One person is still missing in the Dominican Republic.
Jamie Rhome, a deputy director at the hurricane center, noted the storm’s slow pace, saying it will continue to move slowly for days.
In Jamaica, the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston was set to close Saturday night. Over 650 shelters have been opened across the island, and supplies have been stocked for distribution if needed.
Haitian authorities reported deaths and injuries, as well as rising river levels and flooding. Many residents are hesitant to leave their homes, even with the storm approaching.
The Dominican Republic has seen damage to homes and water systems, affecting many people. Trees and traffic lights have been knocked down, and some communities are cut off by floodwaters.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned that Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Melissa is the 13th named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
