Hurricane Melissa heads toward Cuba and Jamaica as authorities urge evacuations
Illustrative photo: hurricane warning sign on a highway in Florida, US (Getty Images)
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward Jamaica and Cuba, expected to bring flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the region, according to Reuters.
Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a Category 4 storm moving toward Jamaica and Cuba, expected to bring catastrophic flooding, landslides, and storm surges to the region, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 220 km/h and is projected to intensify as it approaches Jamaica, where it is expected to make landfall late Monday or early Tuesday. It will likely reach southeastern Cuba late Tuesday evening.
Evacuations in Jamaica
Authorities in Jamaica have urged residents to evacuate to shelters, of which there are nearly 900 across the country.
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued mandatory evacuation orders for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas.
However, some residents reportedly refused to board evacuation buses.
The NHC warns that Melissa could bring 15 to 30 inches (38–76 cm) of rainfall across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localized peaks up to 40 inches (≈101 cm).
In Cuba, rainfall totals are expected to be roughly half that amount.
Regional and international response
Jamaica’s minister of information, Dana Morris Dixon, said the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is ready to assist, and several international partners have already pledged support.
Previous destructive hurricanes in US
In September, Hurricane Helen struck Florida, becoming one of the largest in US history. Rescue operations and shelters were set up for affected residents, while strong winds knocked out power for over 1 million people in Florida and 50 thousand in Georgia.
Governors of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Virginia declared states of emergency. Energy facilities along the US Gulf Coast reduced operations and evacuated some sites.
Earlier, in October 2024, Hurricane Milton hit Florida, leaving 2.2 million homes and businesses without power and destroying about 125 structures, mostly mobile homes. Nearly 5 million people were evacuated ahead of the storm’s landfall.
