Kingston, Jamaica, Oct 29: Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, unleashing catastrophic winds, torrential rains, and massive storm surges that have already caused widespread destruction across the island.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the storm could devastate Jamaica, calling it the “storm of the century.”
“With storm surge up to 13 feet and rainfall reaching 40 inches, there will be catastrophic flash flooding and landslides,” said Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone specialist with the WMO. “For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure,” she told reporters in Geneva.
Packing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (295 km/h), Hurricane Melissa has been classified as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The WMO noted that it is the strongest storm to hit Jamaica in more than 100 years.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) estimated that up to 1.5 million people over half of Jamaica’s population—could be directly affected. Emergency shelters across the country are already at capacity, with food, clean water, and medical supplies being urgently distributed.
“This is a disaster in the making,” said Philippe Guinand, IFRC’s regional director. “Melissa’s strength and slow movement mean that damage will be severe and long-lasting. Recovery could take years.”
Power Outages and Communication Breakdown
Jamaican authorities reported massive power and communication outages even before full landfall. Daryl Vaz, Minister for Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, confirmed that the national power grid operated by Jamaica Public Service (JPS) had been heavily impacted, causing widespread blackouts.
Evan Thompson, Principal Director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, warned residents to expect extreme flooding, landslides, and storm surges. He urged citizens to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas, calling the situation “life-threatening.”
Casualties and Regional Impact
So far, seven deaths have been reported in the region three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Governments in all three nations have declared states of emergency as Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path across the Caribbean.
“This will reshape Jamaica for years to come,” Fontan said. “We are witnessing a truly catastrophic event.”