Hurricane Melissa Intensifies, Threatens Cuba and Bahamas After Devastating Jamaica
Table of Contents
A rapidly intensifying Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm, is barreling toward Cuba and the Bahamas after unleashing significant damage on Jamaica, where it is being described as the strongest hurricane to strike the island in over 170 years. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued its 11pm ET public advisory confirming Melissa’s strength and warning of continued danger as the storm tracks northwest.
Jamaica Reels from Historic Impact
Jamaica bore the brunt of Melissa’s initial fury, experiencing a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday. While the storm weakened slightly as it crossed the island’s mountainous terrain, it remains a highly dangerous Category 4 cyclone with maximum sustained winds near 145 mph. “Roofs were flying off,” reported Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, describing the widespread destruction.
The southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth is reported to be “under water,” with severe damage also reported in Clarendon. Approximately 15,000 Jamaicans have sought refuge in shelters, while a staggering 540,000 customers – 77% of the island – are without power. Floodwaters have trapped at least three families in the Black River community, and rescue efforts are hampered by ongoing hazardous conditions.
A hospital in St. Elizabeth, already identified as vulnerable, suffered extensive damage, forcing the evacuation of its 75 patients to a higher floor before parts of the roof collapsed. Aid agencies, including Mercy Corps, are preparing to deploy as soon as conditions allow, anticipating that the disaster will impact an estimated 1.5 million people – potentially the largest in Jamaica’s history.
Cuba and the Bahamas Brace for Impact
Melissa is now focused on Cuba, with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly. The NHC warned that the core of the hurricane is expected to make landfall in eastern Cuba later tonight and early Wednesday morning, bringing with it “extremely dangerous” conditions. Cuban authorities have already evacuated approximately 735,000 people from vulnerable areas. “We want to emphasise… the magnitude of this event,” urged Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, imploring citizens to remain in shelters.
Hurricane warnings are currently in effect for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas, as well as for the southeastern and central Bahamas. A hurricane watch is also in effect for additional areas. The NHC has warned that preparations to protect life and property in the Bahamas should be “rushed to completion.”
The threat extends beyond Cuba and the Bahamas. Melissa is forecast to approach Bermuda on Thursday and Thursday night. The storm is expected to produce significant storm surge along Cuba’s southeast coast, potentially reaching 8 to 12 feet above normal tide levels. Eastern Cuba could receive 10 to 20 inches of rainfall, with localized amounts up to 25 inches in mountainous areas, increasing the risk of life-threatening flash floods and landslides.
International Response and Concerns
The United States has pledged assistance to Jamaica in the aftermath of the hurricane. “We’re watching it closely, and we’re prepared to move,” stated President Trump while en route from Japan to South Korea. He also expressed surprise at the storm’s intensity, noting, “I’ve never seen that before. I guess it can get that high, but I’ve never seen it.”
Approximately 8,000 British citizens are currently stranded in Jamaica, with all airports closed. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is urging British nationals to register their presence to receive updates and has established a crisis center with support from the Ministry of Defence.
A Symptom of a Changing Climate?
The extraordinary intensification of Hurricane Melissa is raising concerns among climate scientists. Melissa is the fourth storm in the Atlantic this year to undergo rapid intensification, a phenomenon increasingly linked to the warming of the world’s oceans due to the human-caused climate crisis. Warmer waters provide more energy for hurricanes, allowing them to strengthen more quickly and reach higher intensities.
As Melissa continues its path of destruction, communities across the Caribbean are bracing for the worst, and the long road to recovery is only just beginning.
