The warnings from US National Hurricane Center (NHC, its acronym in English) give cause for alarm. “There is a possibility of total structural failure near the center of the [furacão] Melissa. Along the south coast, devastating life-threatening storms and waves are expected throughout the day. Lack of action could result in serious injuries or loss of life”, describes the institution in relation to the impact expected in Jamaica this Tuesday. Flash floods, landslides, damage to infrastructure and power failures are anticipated.
The danger of the meteorological phenomenon also becomes evident in the words of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “I was on my knees in prayer”, he stated, quoted by ‘Washington Post‘. Holness, who said he has been contacted by leaders from other countries, says that Melissa will likely rip off roofs, compromise bridges and damage airports. “No infrastructure in the region can withstand a [tempestade de] category 5”, he acknowledged.
Melissa’s maximum sustained winds are currently reaching 280 kilometers per hour (km/h) with even stronger gusts, remaining a Category 5 major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Although fluctuations in intensity are expected, the NHC insists that the “cyclone will hit the continent with devastating force, capable of causing complete structural damage in exposed and elevated areas.”
Tropical cyclone expert Anne-Claire Fontan, from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said that the organization anticipates a catastrophic situation in Jamaica, with wind gusts exceeding 300 kilometers per hour, reported “Al Jazeera“. “For Jamaica, it will certainly be the storm of the century”, he commented.
According to the “Washington Post”, entities in Jamaica indicated that they had done everything in their power to prepare for the hurricane’s arrival, including setting aside 400 million dollars (about 343 million euros) for projects aimed at minimizing the impact of the storm and positioning resources around the island with a view to beginning recovery efforts as soon as it passes.
Hurricane Melissa is located approximately 215 kilometers southeast of Kingston, capital of Jamaica, with winds exceeding 280 kilometers per hour, according to the latest NHC report. On its predicted trajectory, the center of Melissa will directly impact Jamaica this Tuesday. The hurricane will move across southwestern Cuba on Wednesday morning and continue toward the southern and central Bahamas.
Authorities warned that Hurricane Melissa will continue to cause rain in the Dominican Republic in the coming days
ORLANDO BARRIA
Authorities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, neighboring countries, indicated that days of torrential rain have already caused at least four deaths, reported the Reuters.
Impact beyond Jamaica
In addition to Jamaica, the NHC also leaves messages for Haiti and the Dominican Republic (tropical storm conditions are expected Tuesday and Wednesday), eastern Cuba (where heavy rains and flash floods are expected soon, as well as a life-threatening storm this Tuesday), and the southeast and central Bahamas (hurricane and life-threatening storm conditions on Wednesday), as well as to the Turks and Caicos Islands (where tropical storm conditions are anticipated).
The Government of the Bahamas issued a formal evacuation order on Monday for residents of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Ragged Island, municipalities located in the southeast of the Caribbean country, due to the arrival of category 5 Hurricane Melissa.
“This warning is issued to ensure that those most at risk can be safely relocated before conditions worsen,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis at a press conference.
The official indicated that, according to the Bahamas Meteorological Department, Melissa is expected to begin affecting the southeast of the country on Tuesday morning, and conditions are expected to worsen throughout Wednesday, as the storm advances through the region.
In light of this meteorological warning, the Government and the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) urged residents of the previously mentioned areas to maintain contact with Family Island to obtain detailed information about the times they will have to leave the places where they live and the means of transport.
Finally, Davis stated that during the day he will provide more information about people’s evacuation plans and urged the population to remain calm. “We will outline the specific measures being taken to protect lives and property, including transportation logistics, shelter preparation and coordination among all government agencies,” he said.
In this context, the United Nations announced on Monday the activation of its Early Action mechanism in the face of the next impact of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba, with which it plans to distribute more than 100 tons of rice and emergency material.
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