Hurricane Melissa is threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Jamaica, and is forecast to be one of the worst storms recorded in history
One of the most powerful hurricanes in more than 30 years is set to hit the Caribbean and cause catastrophic flooding in Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa has been moving through the Caribbean Sea and intensified to Category 4 by late Sunday (26 October), as it sustained winds of 145mph (230kph) and was moving west at 5mph (7kph).
It is expected to reach Category 5 strength by Monday night, with winds greater than 157mph (250kph) as it veers north-east towards Jamaica.
By Tuesday, at around midday, Melissa is set to reach Jamaica with winds of up to 160mph (257kph), which would make it one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Caribbean country in history.
Prior to Melissa, the most powerful was recorded more than 30 years ago in 1988 when Hurricane Gilbert battered Jamaica with winds of 130mph.
Melissa is set to move near or over Jamaica before crossing Cuba into the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday, the US National Hurricane Center said.
It is forecast to unleash up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) of rain on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola – Haiti and the Dominican Republic – with some areas predicted to see as much as 40 inches (1 metre) of rain.
As Jamaica braces for the disruptive hurricane, a live stream video has been set up on YouTube to monitor the impact. Located on Kingston’s Jamaica Street, it is one of the most popular areas.
It features one of the most famous landmarks, the clock tower, and is often filled with bustling traffic.
You can also watch it here.
Jamaica appears to be at the centre of Melissa’s triple threat – extreme rainfall and flooding, damaging winds, and dangerous storm surge.
While the storm is expected to make landfall on the island early Tuesday, heavy rain has already begun spreading across Jamaica as of Sunday.
Jamaican residents have been advised to “seek shelter now,” the NHC said Sunday morning.
“Damaging winds and heavy rainfall today and on Monday will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides before potentially devastating winds arrive Monday night and Tuesday morning.”
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue for several days, posing life-threatening and potentially catastrophic risks.
Meanwhile, Haiti remains deeply impacted by Melissa’s destructive flooding and landslide threats.