Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifies, catastrophic impacts

In just 24 hours, Melissa has strengthened from a Category 1 to a Category 4 hurricane, moving west at 3 mph. This slow movement will continue through Monday before the storm turns sharply northeast toward Jamaica on Tuesday.

Sunday morning satellite images show a developing eye, indicating further intensification. Tropical storm–force winds extend up to 175 miles from the center, while hurricane–force winds reach 25 miles out. 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 over 40 inches of rain, faces catastrophic flooding, landslides, and violent winds through Monday. Storm surge along the southern coast will worsen from Monday night to 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.