Hurricane Melissa: Category 5 Storm Threatens Jamaica with Catastrophic Flooding

Hurricane Melissa Update and Landfall Timeline

• ⚠️ Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds and a pressure of 98 millibars.
• ⏰ The landfall timeline for Jamaica has shifted to 8 a.m. Tuesday, a delay from the original 2 a.m. estimate.
• 🚨 Storm preparations and evacuation orders must be completed by sunset today.

Catastrophic Impacts on Jamaica

• 🌊 The primary threat is catastrophic flooding from both freshwater and a significant storm surge, potentially reaching up to 13 feet along the southern coast.
• 🌪️ Embedded within rain bands, there is a risk of tornadic activity and tornado warnings.
• 🏠 The slow westward movement of the storm (3 mph) exacerbates the danger, increasing the duration of severe impacts.

Projected Path and Weakening

• 🏝️ After making landfall in Jamaica, Melissa is expected to cross the western part of the island before a secondary landfall on Cuba's southern coast.
• 📉 Land interaction will weaken the storm, and by the time it reaches the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas, it will be weaker.
• 💨 It is forecast to reach Bermuda as a Category 1 hurricane and dissipate into an area of low pressure by the end of the week.

Safety Recommendations

• ⛰️ Residents in Jamaica, especially those in flood-prone southern areas, are urged to get to higher ground.
• 🌊 The storm surge is described as a powerful wave of water, not gentle flooding, and is the most dangerous aspect of the system.