Hurricane Melissa to Make Landfall in Jamaica

IN NEWS:

Hurricane Melissa to Make Landfall in Jamaica Today

Analysis

1. Current Situation
   • Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest storm of the year in the Caribbean region.
   • The system is expected to make landfall in Jamaica by this evening, bringing catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surges, and extreme rainfall.
   • Wind speeds are currently reaching 175 miles per hour (≈280 km/h), with a movement of just 6 km/h, making the system unusually slow and highly destructive.
2. Meteorological Concerns
   • According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane’s slow west-north-west movement increases the risk of prolonged flooding and landslides.
   • Rainfall up to 100 cm (≈40 inches) is expected in parts of Jamaica over the next four days.
   • Experts describe Melissa’s movement as a “crawl,” which means it could linger over land and intensify the impact duration.
3. Humanitarian Impact
   • The storm has already claimed four lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, highlighting its destructive potential even before reaching Jamaica.
   • Flood rescues are ongoing in these regions, with rising waters cutting off several communities.
   • The Jamaican government has ordered mass evacuations in low-lying areas of Kingston and other coastal regions, classifying the entire island as threatened.
4. Preparedness Measures
   • Emergency shelters have been opened across Jamaica, and disaster management teams are on high alert.
   • Ports and airports have been shut, and fishermen and coastal residents have been urged to move inland.
   • The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and international relief organizations are coordinating with Jamaican authorities for rapid response and post-impact assessment.
5. Regional Implications
   • The storm’s trajectory could affect nearby islands and the southern coast of Cuba.
   • Given its Category 5 intensity, global attention is on whether Melissa might become one of the most severe hurricanes in the Caribbean’s recent history.
   • Economic disruptions are expected in tourism, agriculture, and logistics sectors due to infrastructural damage and power outages.

Static & Conceptual Background

1. Hurricane Classification (Saffir–Simpson Scale)
   • Category 1: 119–153 km/h (minimal damage)
   • Category 2: 154–177 km/h (moderate damage)
   • Category 3: 178–208 km/h (major damage)
   • Category 4: 209–251 km/h (extreme damage)
   • Category 5: ≥252 km/h (catastrophic damage)
2. Formation and Movement
   • Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters (typically >26°C) due to low-pressure systems and rising moist air, leading to cyclonic circulation.
   • The Coriolis effect determines their rotation (counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere).
   • A slow-moving system, like Melissa, tends to cause heavier rainfall and prolonged flooding due to extended exposure.
3. Institutional Frameworks
   • National Hurricane Center (NHC): U.S.-based agency under NOAA that monitors and forecasts tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific.
   • CDEMA: Regional body coordinating disaster preparedness and response across the Caribbean.
   • UNDRR and IFRC: Global partners supporting post-disaster resilience and recovery in small island developing states (SIDS).
     
     Updated - October 28, 2025 8:27 AM | News On Air