Hurricane Melissa, a slow-moving Category 5 storm, is closing in on western Jamaica with wind speeds reaching 175 miles per hour and warnings of catastrophic flooding.
The United States National Hurricane Center warns the storm could become one of the most destructive in the island’s history as it makes landfall on Tuesday.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents in the storm’s path to evacuate, warning that “no infrastructure within this region could withstand a Category 5 storm.” He described the situation as potentially the nation’s most violent weather event on record.
Melissa has already caused at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Heavy rain and storm surges have damaged coastal areas, and authorities fear landslides in the coming hours.
The hurricane is moving at a slow pace—about three miles per hour—raising concern that its effects could linger longer than usual. Officials have forecast rainfall of up to 40 inches, which could trigger flash floods and major landslides.
Despite evacuation orders, many residents have chosen to remain in their homes. “I am not moving. I don’t believe I can run from death,” said Roy Brown, a plumber from Port Royal in Kingston. Fisherwoman Jennifer Ramdial added, “I just don’t want to leave.”
A Jamaican resident, Evadney Campbell, told the BBC, “We’re checking on our neighbors, but I’m worried about people in the lowlands who don’t want to leave. Many are scared their homes will be robbed.”
Another resident, Damian Anderson, said his community in the mountainous town of Hagley Gap had been cut off due to landslides. “We can’t move. We’re scared,” he told Reuters.
In St. Elizabeth’s farming community of Flagaman, residents took shelter inside a local store. Owner Enrico Coke said he opened his doors to neighbors who had nowhere else to go. “I’m concerned about farmers. The fishermen will be suffering after this. We’ll need help as soon as possible, especially water for the people,” he said.
Meteorologists say Hurricane Melissa’s rapid intensification is another sign of how warmer oceans are fueling stronger storms. Climate scientist Daniel Gilford noted that “human-caused climate change is making all of the worst aspects of Hurricane Melissa even worse.”
After lashing Jamaica, Melissa is expected to move north toward eastern Cuba by Tuesday night, while continuing to bring heavy rain to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
