Jamaica is reeling from the destructive force of Hurricane Melissa, the world’s most powerful storm so far this year, which has already claimed at least three lives on the island and seven more across Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The storm, upgraded to a Category 5 by the U.S. National Hurricane Center early Monday, is packing winds of up to 175 miles per hour (290 km/h) and has unleashed more than 40 inches (101 cm) of rain in parts of Jamaica.
Meteorologists warn that Melissa could become the most powerful hurricane ever to make landfall in the country’s recorded history.
However, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered a mandatory evacuation of low-lying and coastal communities as the storm’s outer bands began battering the island. Public shelters have been opened across the country, and all schools have shifted to online instruction until further notice.
Also, flights in and out of the country have been grounded as both Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay suspended operations over the weekend. The government has also urged residents in flood-prone areas to move inland and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
“This is a storm unlike anything we have experienced in recent memory,” a government spokesperson said. “Our focus is on saving lives and ensuring that communities have access to safety, shelter, and information.”
Melissa’s slow movement through the Caribbean has added to the anxiety, with meteorologists noting that its gradual pace allows for prolonged exposure to intense winds and torrential rainfall. The system has already ruptured key infrastructure in Jamaica, damaging roads, communication lines, and parts of Kingston’s southern coastline.
Residents have taken to social media to share images of flooding, toppled trees, and collapsed homes. “I can’t wait till we get back to precedented times,” one user wrote on Instagram, reflecting a mix of exhaustion and disbelief at the scale of the disaster.
Warnings remain in effect for Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas as Melissa continues its path northeast. Forecasters caution that even if the storm weakens slightly before moving away from Jamaica, its lingering effects from flooding to storm surges could last for days.
As emergency crews battle to restore power and rescue stranded residents, regional authorities have begun coordinating relief efforts. International aid agencies, including the Red Cross, have already mobilized response teams to assist with recovery once conditions allow.
