Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica on Tuesday, battering the island with 185 mph winds, torrential rain, and dangerous flooding. Officials warned that conditions could worsen as the Category 5 storm moved slowly toward Cuba and the Bahamas.
Melissa made landfall near New Hope around midday, ripping off roofs, toppling power poles, and flooding narrow river valleys. The storm’s pace heightened fears of flash floods and landslides across Jamaica’s mountainous regions.
Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s minister coordinating disaster response, urged residents to evacuate and take warnings seriously. “Jamaica, this is not the time to be brave,” McKenzie said, according to The New York Times. “Don’t bet against Melissa. It is a bet we can’t win.”
By Tuesday evening, Melissa will have crossed Jamaica and is expected to reach Cuba’s southern coast as a Category 4 storm around midnight. Forecasts indicate the hurricane will continue northward toward the Bahamas on Wednesday.
Officials confirmed at least three deaths and 13 injuries connected to the storm’s approach. Power outages and communication failures hindered updates, making it difficult for authorities to assess the full extent of the damage.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center advised residents in affected areas to stay in interior rooms without windows and to cover themselves with mattresses or helmets for protection.
“Strengthened by Caribbean water temperatures far warmer than usual,” forecasters said, Melissa is expected to remain destructive over the coming days while bypassing the United States.
Nearly 900,000 people in Cuba’s eastern provinces received evacuation orders. At the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay, personnel were instructed to take shelter with bedding and a three-day supply of food and water.
Aid agencies expressed concern about reduced resources due to budget cuts. The World Food Program said Jamaica and Cuba could face severe public health challenges, including contaminated water, disease outbreaks, and disruptions to medical care.
Internet connectivity across Jamaica dropped to 42% of normal levels, according to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization.
As of publication, Hurricane Melissa continues to move through the Caribbean, with officials warning residents in its path to remain alert as conditions evolve.