Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 5, Threatening Jamaica and Beyond
Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 5, Threatens Jamaica with Devastation
TAMPA, Fla. – Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a formidable Category 5 storm, boasting maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour as it charts a course toward Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center reported the storm’s status early Monday morning, with Melissa moving northwest at a sluggish three miles per hour.
According to FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Paul Dellegatto, Melissa is now one of the strongest storms recorded in the Atlantic basin. The hurricane’s ferocity was underscored when a NOAA hurricane hunter mission had to be cut short due to extreme turbulence encountered in the storm’s eye wall.
Timeline of Impact
Melissa is projected to make landfall in Jamaica late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The island, known for its mountainous terrain, faces heightened risks of mudslides and landslides, which could isolate entire communities and disrupt power and communication lines. Dellegatto warned that Melissa could be one of the most catastrophic storms to hit Jamaica in modern history.
As the storm approaches, neighboring regions, including the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, are also bracing for impact after Melissa crosses Cuba.
Recent Casualties and Historical Context
The storm has already claimed at least three lives in the Dominican Republic, where it stalled last week, unleashing torrential rains across Hispaniola.
Historically, Jamaica has weathered its share of hurricanes, with Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 being one of the most notable. Gilbert made landfall near Kingston as a Category 4 hurricane but did not produce significant storm surge due to its east-to-west trajectory across the island. In contrast, Hurricane Sandy passed over Jamaica as a Category 1 storm before making its way up the U.S. East Coast in 2012.
A Record-Breaking Season
This year’s Atlantic hurricane season has already made history, now standing as the second-most active season for Category 5 hurricanes, with three recorded storms. It trails only the infamous 2005 season, which saw four Category 5 hurricanes.
As Hurricane Melissa continues its path, residents in its projected trajectory are urged to stay informed and prepare for potential devastation. The coming days will be critical as the storm approaches landfall, and the full extent of its impact remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.