Hurricane Melissa Upgraded to Category 4 as It Nears Jamaica, Forecast Calls for Further Strengthening
Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm on the Saffir‑Simpson scale as it moves toward the western coast of Jamaica, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. The system, which originated as a tropical depression in the central Atlantic, has shown a rapid intensification over the past 12 hours, with sustained winds now estimated at 130 miles per hour.
Forecasters expect Melissa to continue strengthening over the warm Caribbean waters, with peak intensity projected to reach Category 5 before making landfall. The storm is projected to approach Jamaica’s coastline within 24 to 36 hours, prompting the government to issue a series of emergency alerts, including mandatory evacuations in low‑lying coastal communities and the activation of shelters in inland areas.
Authorities have mobilized emergency response teams and the military to assist with evacuation efforts and to prepare for potential disruptions to power, water, and communications infrastructure. The Jamaican Meteorological Service has warned residents to brace for heavy rainfall, storm‑surge flooding, and landslides, particularly in the parishes of St. James, Westmoreland, and Hanover, which are most vulnerable to coastal inundation.
Regional experts note that Melissa follows a pattern of recent intense storms in the Atlantic basin, underscoring the challenges faced by island nations in adapting to increasingly severe weather events. Analysts point to rising sea‑surface temperatures and a more active hurricane season as contributing factors, although they caution that each storm’s behavior remains subject to a range of atmospheric conditions.
International aid agencies have begun pre‑positioning supplies, including food, water, and medical kits, in anticipation of a large‑scale humanitarian response. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has urged neighboring countries to stand ready to assist, emphasizing the importance of rapid, coordinated relief efforts should the storm cause extensive damage.
As the situation evolves, officials will continue to update the public through radio, television, and online platforms. Residents are advised to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and take precautionary measures to protect life and property while Hurricane Melissa approaches.
