Evacuations and Shelter Efforts
One major concern for officials is transporting people from low-lying and flood-prone areas into nearly 900 shelters across Jamaica. The country’s Andrew Holness announced on Sunday that he had signed a compulsory evacuation order for several communities along the south coast. This order empowers the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to remove individuals from high-risk areas after some refused to leave. In the fishing village of Port Royal, residents said they were reluctant to go to shelters, citing fears their belongings could be stolen and that women could be at risk. Port Royal, once one of the largest cities in the Caribbean before a 1692 earthquake submerged much of it, is now among the communities deemed most vulnerable to hurricanes and included in the compulsory evacuation list.
Health Minister Christopher Tufton said: “The concerns are more with the people who are not evacuating.” He pointed out that several hospitals — in places like Falmouth, Black River and Hanover — are located “right on the shoreline, on the coastline. So those could see some flooding if a surge is high enough.” Plans were in place to evacuate patients to higher ground if necessary.
Storm Position, Intensity and Rainfall Threat
On Monday morning local time, the National Hurricane Centre in Miami reported that Melissa was about 135 miles (220 km) south-west of Kingston and roughly 320 miles south-west of Guantánamo in Cuba. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and was moving west at about 3 mph. Some parts of eastern Jamaica were forecast to receive up to a metre (40 inches) of rain, while western Haiti could receive up to 40 cm. The NHC warned that “Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely.”
Prime Minister Holness said that Jamaica has “a sound strategy to ensure speedy recovery from the storm.” He reiterated the seriousness of the threat and urged people to heed life-saving advice. He also made a personal appeal, saying: “Wherever you are, I encourage you to gather your family and pray for protection, for calm, and for each other, trusting that God, who has seen Jamaica through every storm, will carry us safely through this one too.”
Conclusion
As Hurricane Melissa bears down on Jamaica with unprecedented strength and a slow advance that increases the risk of prolonged impact, the island is confronting a potential disaster scenario involving ferocious winds, torrential rain, rising seas and widespread damage. With evacuations underway and critical infrastructure at risk, the coming hours may define the scale of this historic storm. It is imperative for residents and authorities alike to adhere to evacuation orders, secure essential supplies and remain vigilant as the worst may still be ahead.
