Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm of the year, is on the verge of hitting Jamaica, as announced by the National Hurricane Center. This Category 5 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 175mph, is currently causing chaos in the Caribbean island with flash floods and storm surges, according to reports from the US agency. While still a distance away, the storm is rapidly approaching, with its eye set to hit land around midday local time (5pm GMT). Meteorologists are predicting that Melissa could go down in history as the fiercest hurricane to strike Jamaica, bringing potential rainfall of up to 30 inches and winds reaching 175mph.
The Met Office has indicated that Hurricane Melissa might have implications for UK weather patterns. A spokesperson mentioned to Yahoo News UK that the hurricane is likely to lose its tropical characteristics as it moves across the North Atlantic and is expected to dissipate later in the week as a distinct weather system.
Following its impact on Jamaica, Melissa is projected to head towards eastern Cuba by Tuesday evening (12pm GMT), prompting the evacuation of over 500,000 individuals from vulnerable areas. By Wednesday, as it progresses towards the Bahamas around 7pm local time (12pm GMT), Melissa is anticipated to weaken to a Category 2 hurricane.
The devastating effects of the storm have already led to casualties in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, with a potential impact on up to 1.5 million people in Jamaica, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Additionally, around 25,000 tourists are currently present on the island.
With forecasts indicating a Category 5 landfall, Melissa is predicted to downgrade to a Category 4 as it traverses the island. Michael Brennan, director of the US National Hurricane Center, has warned of the severe risks associated with the impending scenario, including “total building failures” and wind gusts of up to 200mph in Jamaica’s highest mountains. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, has cautioned that the country’s infrastructure may not withstand the storm’s impact.
Experts have pointed out that the climate crisis is exacerbating the intensity of Caribbean hurricanes. Research conducted by Climate Central revealed that Melissa underwent rapid intensification due to elevated ocean temperatures, which were 1.4C above average, conditions significantly influenced by climate change.
Named Melissa in accordance with the US National Hurricane Center and the World Meteorological Organization’s storm naming protocol, the hurricane’s path is expected to take it into the North Atlantic, skimming Canada’s easternmost point.
REWRITE_BLOCKED: The content includes specific brand and partner information, which falls outside the scope of the rewriting request.
