Jamaica braces as Hurricane Melissa nears Category Five strength

October 27, 2025 / 9:20 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: Jamaica remains on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 4 storm, intensifies over the Caribbean Sea, posing a threat of catastrophic flooding and destructive winds across the region. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued urgent warnings, warning that Melissa’s slow movement and heavy rainfall could lead to a life-threatening situation for the island and neighbouring territories.

With sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, the storm has already claimed at least four lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where heavy rain and landslides have caused severe damage. The NHC warned that Melissa could strengthen further into a Category 5 hurricane, with up to 40 inches of rain expected in certain areas.

“This potential for extreme rainfall, due to the storm’s slow movement, is going to cause a catastrophic event here for Jamaica,” said Jamie Rhome, NHC Deputy Director. He urged residents to seek shelter and stay off the roads, warning that conditions would worsen quickly.

Evacuations, closures, and rising fears

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has forecast storm surges of up to 13 feet along the southern coast, prompting mandatory evacuations in low-lying coastal areas. Kingston’s international airport and all seaports have been closed, while government officials have activated emergency shelters across the island.

“This is one bet you cannot win. You cannot bet against Melissa,” said Desmond McKenzie, urging citizens to heed evacuation orders.

Residents are hurriedly securing homes and supplies as the storm nears. Among them, Winston Moxam, recalling the destruction caused by Hurricane Gilbert (1988), voiced his fears: “If I lose my roof, I lose a whole lot of things.”

Regional impact and path ahead

Currently situated about 125 miles south-southwest of Kingston and 310 miles from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Melissa is expected to make landfall late on Monday or early on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. After crossing Jamaica, the hurricane is forecast to continue northward towards eastern Cuba, further affecting the Caribbean.

As the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Melissa traces the destructive route of Hurricane Beryl earlier in 2024. Authorities warn that the combination of slow movement, heavy rainfall, and strong winds could make Melissa one of the most perilous storms of the season.