Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, bringing historic winds, flooding, and widespread destruction across the island.

Officials say the storm — one of the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic — tore off roofs, triggered landslides, and left thousands without power as it swept across the country. Streets in Kingston were deserted as residents sheltered indoors from winds topping 185 mph (295 kph).

Deputy Chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, Desmond McKenzie, urged residents to remain indoors, warning, “This is not the time to be brave.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the nation faces an enormous recovery effort. “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” he said. “Our challenge now is how quickly we can rebuild.”

The storm came ashore near New Hope, producing catastrophic flooding and winds capable of total structural failure. Meteorologists with the U.S. National Hurricane Center described the scenario as “extremely dangerous,” noting that Jamaica’s mountainous terrain could experience wind gusts exceeding 200 mph (322 kph).

Melissa’s intensity — measured at 892 millibars of central pressure — ties records set by the 1935 Labor Day hurricane in Florida and 2019’s Hurricane Dorian, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike land.

At least seven deaths have been reported so far across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

Melissa’s intensity — measured at 892 millibars of central pressure — ties records set by the 1935 Labor Day hurricane in Florida and 2019’s Hurricane Dorian, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike land.

At least seven deaths have been reported so far across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

More than 240,000 residents were without electricity before landfall, and roughly 25% of the island’s communications network was offline, according to Jamaica’s transport and energy minister, Darryl Vaz. Crews plan to assess both of the country’s main airports Wednesday in hopes of reopening for relief flights as early as Thursday.

Emergency teams remain on standby with boats, helicopters, and supplies ready to begin rescues once conditions allow. UN agencies and humanitarian groups are preparing to distribute food, water, and medical aid in the coming days.

More than 240,000 residents were without electricity before landfall, and roughly 25% of the island’s communications network was offline, according to Jamaica’s transport and energy minister, Darryl Vaz. Crews plan to assess both of the country’s main airports Wednesday in hopes of reopening for relief flights as early as Thursday.

Emergency teams remain on standby with boats, helicopters, and supplies ready to begin rescues once conditions allow. UN agencies and humanitarian groups are preparing to distribute food, water, and medical aid in the coming days.

The storm is expected to continue its destructive path toward eastern Cuba, where evacuations of more than 600,000 people are already underway. Forecasters warn of rainfall totals up to 20 inches (51 cm) and a life-threatening storm surge along Cuba’s southern coast.

As Jamaica begins to assess the damage, residents and officials alike are bracing for a long recovery from a storm many are already calling the most powerful in the island’s history.