Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifies, catastrophic impacts

In just over 36 hours, Major Hurricane Melissa has strengthened from a tropical storm to a top of the scale Category 5 hurricane. This potent, slow-moving hurricane will roll across Jamaica on Tuesday before slamming into eastern Cuba on Wednesday.

Monday morning satellite images show shows a intense eye, indicating the hurricane's ferocity. Tropical storm–force winds are already buffeting Jamaica as wind speeds increase across the Caribbean island. Melissa is expected to fluctuate between Categories 4 and 5 over the next 24 to 36 hours as it nears Jamaica.

The hurricane will likely strike Jamaica as a powerful Category 4 or 5 storm, then move over eastern Cuba as a major hurricane Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Once it turns north-northeast, Melissa will accelerate, crossing the southern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Expected Impacts

The central Caribbean has already faced heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. Eastern Jamaica, which could see more than 40 inches of rain, faces catastrophic flooding, landslides, and violent winds through Monday. Storm surge in excess of 10 feet above normal water levels are likely along Jamaica's southern coast tonight through Tuesday.

Haiti continues to endure life-threatening flash floods, while Cuba, the southern Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos should prepare for storm surge, destructive winds, and 6–12 inches of rain through Wednesday. These rainfall forecasts are in addition to the amounts received this past week.