The hurricane that has been strewn directly at Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa, is anticipated to be the strongest to ever strike the island.
Wind speeds exceeding 252 km/h (157 mph) increased on Monday to a Category 5 storm, the most powerful on the Saffir-Simpson scale. According to the American National Hurricane Center (NHC), it was expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning. The storm, according to the report, will bring “catastrophic flooding” and “destructive winds” that it expects to worsen day and night.
The south coast of Jamaica is likely to experience life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large, destructive waves, from late on Monday through Tuesday morning, according to Jamaica’s Meteorological Service.
What caused Hurricane Melissa to form?
Off the coast of West Africa, a group of thunderstorms called Melissa first appeared. It developed into a depression as it traveled west. Its status as a tropical storm was announced on October 21.
Melissa made its way through the Caribbean Sea through the weekend into a Category 4 storm.
The Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1 and ends on November 30, includes Melissa, which is the 13th hurricane of the season. Every year, the Atlantic basin experiences about seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes on average. This year’s Atlantic hurricane season was predicted by the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which included 13 to 18 named storms.
After Hurricanes Erin and Humberto, this is the third Category 5 hurricane to hit the area.
Storms are categorised using the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Hurricanes are classified into five different categories based on the wind’s sustainedness.
A storm with a sustained wind speed of 252 km/h (157 mph) or higher is categorized as Category 5. The NHC claims that Category 5 storms typically cause “catastrophic damage.”
What has Melissa grown up to? What country will Jamaica be hit by?
Residents of Jamaica have been instructed to use sandbags and boards to protect their homes and stock up on necessities in anticipation of the hurricane.
The NHC predicted that tropical storm-force winds will blow out to as far away as 45 kilometers (30 miles) from Melissa’s center, and that they will blow out to as far as 315 kilometers (195 miles) from it.
How far along is the storm’s path:
Monday, 7am in Jamaica (12: 00 GMT)
Melissa moved northwest in the Caribbean on Monday morning, earning it a Category 5 hurricane status.
Tuesday, 1am (06: 00 GMT)
Melissa will probably landfall very soon after this. The storm will cause more damage, according to the NHC because it moves slowly, moving at 8 km/h (5 mph).
Slow motion is expected to cause a catastrophic event in Jamaica due to this extreme rainfall potential, according to NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.
Southern Hispaniola is expected to experience rainfall totals of 1, 016mm (40 inches) through Wednesday, with additional rainfall of 203mm to 406mm (8 to 16 inches) and a rainfall total of 381mm to 762mm (15 to 30 inches) due to Melissa. There are a lot of landslides and catastrophic flash flooding.
Wednesday, 1pm (18: 00 GMT)
By Wednesday, Melissa is expected to pass over Cuba before moving through the Greater Antilles and the Atlantic.
By the time it reaches Cuba, it is expected to fall into Category 3.
What has recently happened on the ground?
“I am aware that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness. You ought to be worried.
However, being prepared is the best way to deal with anxiety and any enthrallement and concern.
The Jamaican Meteorological Service has advised fishermen and small craft owners on the banks and cays to stay in safe harbor until wind and sea conditions are normal.
It stated that it is impossible to leave the island before the hurricane arrives. Both Montego Bay and Kingston, the main airports, are closed. The airport in Kingston is advising travelers to “contact your airline for rebooking.” NEVER travel to the airport.
Melissa is anticipated to cause similar damage in parts of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba.
Jamaica’s hurricane history
Only one Category 4 storm, Hurricane Gilbert, was recorded in Jamaica in 1988, according to the NHC. At least 45 people were killed in the storm, which was the most destructive in Jamaica’s history.
The island was hit by Hurricane Sandy for the first time since Gilbert in October 2012. It was a Category 1 storm when it struck.
Source: Aljazeera
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