Kingston, October 29 (Udaipur Kiran): Hurricane Melissa is on track to make a historic Category 5 landfall in Jamaica today, bringing catastrophic winds, torrential rain, flash floods, and life-threatening storm surges across the island. Meteorologists warn that it could become the strongest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica and one of the most intense landfalls on record in the Atlantic Basin.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa’s center is currently located about 115 miles west-southwest of Kingston, moving north-northeast at 5 mph. The storm is already lashing Jamaica with wind gusts up to 60 mph in Kingston and Montego Bay, as outer rainbands also spread into eastern Cuba and southwestern Haiti.
Unprecedented Flooding Threat
Melissa is expected to unleash up to 40 inches of rainfall over southern Jamaica and Hispaniola through Wednesday, triggering catastrophic flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas. Eastern Cuba could see up to 25 inches, while the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos may receive 10 inches of rain, leading to widespread flooding.
Storm Surge and Coastal Impact
The NHC forecasts a storm surge of 9 to 13 feet above ground level along Jamaica’s southern coast, including parts of Kingston and Norman Manley International Airport. On the island’s western side, near Montego Bay, surges of 2 to 4 feet are expected.
In eastern Cuba, surges could reach 7 to 11 feet, while the southeast Bahamas may experience 4 to 6 feet of coastal flooding by Wednesday.
Destructive Winds Expected
Melissa’s sustained winds are near Category 5 intensity, capable of causing total structural failure, widespread destruction, and long-lasting power and communication outages, according to the NHC. Wind speeds could be 30 percent higher over elevated terrain, adding to the danger in Jamaica’s hilly regions.
Even after the hurricane’s center moves away, tropical storm-force winds are expected to persist into Tuesday night. Eastern Cuba will likely see hurricane conditions later tonight, with the storm then moving across the southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on Wednesday.
Forecast Path
Melissa is expected to move into eastern Cuba as a major hurricane by late Tuesday night or early Wednesday before tracking northeast across the southeast Bahamas. The system could pass near Bermuda by Thursday night or early Friday before transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone over the North Atlantic.
If the current forecast holds, Hurricane Melissa will mark Jamaica’s strongest hurricane landfall on record and the first Category 5 landfall in the Atlantic Basin since Hurricane Dorian (2019).
Warnings in Effect
The NHC has issued hurricane warnings for Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and parts of the southeast Bahamas, while tropical storm warnings remain in effect for nearby regions. Authorities urge residents to evacuate coastal areas, stay indoors, and brace for prolonged power outages and dangerous flooding.
Meteorologists emphasize that Hurricane Melissa’s slow movement will worsen the flooding risk, making it one of the most dangerous storms in recent Caribbean history.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
