photo by National Hurricane Center in Miami
Hurricane Melissa remains an exceptionally powerful “super” Category 5 hurricane this evening, sustaining peak winds near 175 miles per hour (280 km/h) as it drifts dangerously close to Jamaica.
The storm, which has already shattered intensity records in the region, has begun a gradual turn toward the northwest, steering it closer to Jamaica’s southern coastline. Meteorologists warn that the island will face devastating winds, torrential rainfall, and life-threatening storm surge starting late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
At 5 p.m., the National Hurricane Center (NHC) located Melissa about 140 miles southwest of Kingston, creeping northwest at only 3 miles per hour (6 km/h) — a slow motion that could prolong the onslaught of severe weather. The central pressure, at 906 millibars, remains one of the lowest ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, underscoring the storm’s unmatched intensity.
Authorities have issued hurricane warnings for Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, urging residents to take all possible precautions. In Jamaica, officials say final preparations should be completed immediately, as conditions will rapidly deteriorate through the evening hours.
Local reports indicate strong outer rainbands have already reached parts of the island, producing squally conditions and occasional storm-force gusts. The worst impacts — including the eyewall, where winds are strongest — are expected to approach overnight.
Melissa’s slow pace and immense size heighten concerns about prolonged flooding, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas where rainfall totals could exceed a foot (300 mm) in some locations. Coastal communities are bracing for dangerous storm surges capable of inundating entire stretches of shoreline.
Officials across the Caribbean are monitoring the storm closely, with the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos expected to experience impacts later this week as Melissa tracks northward.
Prayers for Jamaica tonight. Storms like this show how quickly life can change , stay safe and look out for each other.