Melissa Slams South of Jamaica as Major Hurricane; Life-Threatening Floods and Landslides Expected
Major Hurricane Melissa is churning just south of Jamaica with sustained winds of 120 knots (138 mph), threatening catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and life-threatening storm surge across several Caribbean islands.
At 0900 UTC Sunday, Melissa was centered near 16.3°N 76.3°W, about 100 nautical miles south-southeast of Kingston, moving slowly west at 4 knots. The minimum central pressure was estimated at 944 millibars, with peak seas reaching 28 feet near the core.
Forecasters reported scattered thunderstorms within 90 nautical miles of the center and a growing band of severe convection east of the storm, spanning 12°N to 17°N between 70°W and 75°W.
Melissa is expected to move westward through Monday night, remaining south of Jamaica before turning northward over the island on Tuesday. The system is forecast to maintain major hurricane strength as it crosses eastern Cuba late Tuesday, then track northeast toward the southern Bahamas by Wednesday and near southeast Bermuda by Thursday.
Severe Impacts Forecast
Meteorologists warn that southern Hispaniola and Jamaica will experience prolonged, torrential rainfall through Wednesday, causing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides.
Eastern Cuba is also at high risk for life-threatening flooding and landslides, while large swells will affect Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba in the coming days.
Urgent Safety Advisory
Authorities in Jamaica are urging residents to take shelter immediately, warning that damaging winds and heavy rain will intensify through Monday.
Officials say the island could face widespread infrastructure damage, prolonged power and communication outages, and isolated communities cut off by floods and landslides.
A life-threatening storm surge is also possible along Jamaica’s southern coast Monday night into Tuesday morning.
In Haiti, particularly the southwestern region, catastrophic flooding and landslides are expected through mid-week. Winds, which have briefly eased across the Tiburon Peninsula, could strengthen again Tuesday.
The Dominican Republic is forecast to experience heavy rainfall and landslides in southern areas, while residents of eastern Cuba, the Southeast Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are advised to monitor the hurricane closely as a hurricane watch remains in effect for parts of eastern Cuba.
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