Jamaica is holding its breath as Hurricane Melissa, packing sustained winds of 160 mph, approaches its coastline. Supermarket shelves stand empty across Kingston, while coastal residents have boarded windows and reinforced roofs in preparation for what meteorologists warn could be the most powerful storm to hit the Caribbean nation in recorded history.
Mass Evacuations Underway
Emergency services reported 12,000 evacuations from flood-prone areas as of Tuesday morning. Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged remaining residents in vulnerable zones to "seek shelter immediately" during a national address. The storm's projected path shows it making landfall near Montego Bay within 24 hours.
Regional Implications
While Jamaica remains the immediate focus, weather models suggest Melissa could later impact Cuba and the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for 20-foot storm surges and 40 inches of rainfall in affected areas. Regional airports have canceled all flights through Friday.
Climate Context
This storm marks the third major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, following an unusually active start predicted by climate scientists. Researchers note warming ocean temperatures are creating conditions for more frequent high-intensity cyclones in the Caribbean basin.
