Hurricane Melissa has already made landfall in Jamaica. Based on the latest reporting, it struck the southwestern coast near New Hope as a Category 5 storm with extremely dangerous winds and rainfall, and is moving toward Cuba and the Bahamas. Exact timing of landfall was earlier today in Jamaica, but the storm’s effects began well before landfall and will continue for hours as the system progresses slowly. Key points to know:
- Jamaica: Landfall occurred in the afternoon local time, with sustained winds around 185 mph and gusts higher. Severe winds, catastrophic rain totals, and life-threatening storm surge are ongoing threats. Expect prolonged impacts in affected parishes as Melissa lingers near the coast and slowly tracks northwest.
- After Jamaica: Melissa is forecast to move toward eastern Cuba and then the Bahamas, maintaining powerful intensity for a time and bringing damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surge to those areas.
- Impacts to monitor: Flash flooding, landslides in mountainous terrain, downed trees and power lines, and potential disruptions to communications and critical infrastructure.
What you should do now:
- If you are in Jamaica or the affected regions, follow local authorities’ instructions, seek shelter in sturdy buildings away from windows, and remain in place until the all-clear is issued.
- Keep updated with official advisories from national meteorological services and the National Hurricane Center for changes in track and intensity.
- Prepare an emergency plan: reinforce staying indoors, secure outdoor objects, stock emergency supplies (water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries), and have a communication plan with family members.
If you’d like, I can summarize the latest official warnings for a specific area (parish, city, or island) or help you build a short, practical action checklist based on your location.
