Category 5 cyclone Melissa, packing winds of up to 280 kilometers per hour, has already caused seven deaths — three in Haiti and four each in the Dominican Republic, according to the BBC. Authorities have declared a state of emergency, closing ports and the capital Kingston’s international airport as the island prepares for the storm’s brunt.
Dangerous storm with historical characteristics
Melissa has been designated a Category 5 storm, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Forecasters warn that it could cause flooding, landslides and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the western part of the country was particularly at risk: “No infrastructure can withstand a cyclone of this intensity. We must all be on alert and evacuate the dangerous areas.”
Residents torn between fear and resistance
Despite the appeals of the authorities, many residents refuse to leave their homes. “Even if it was a Category 6, I wouldn’t have left,” says Port Royal handyman Roy Brown. Others, like fisherman Jennifer Ramdayal, say they prefer to stay, having had bad experiences with state-run reserves. The government is trying to strengthen security measures and ensure water and electricity supplies as the country plunges into a state of alert.
Comparisons with the devastating 1988 Hurricane Gilbert
The last cyclone of such intensity to hit Jamaica was Gilbert in 1988, with 40 deaths and massive damage. Since then, the country has been tested by several storms, most recently by Beryl in 2024. But Melissa surpasses all previous ones in strength, with the international media describing it as a “wind monster”.
Melissa’s wrath now threatens Cuba and the Bahamas
After Jamaica, Melissa’s track points to eastern Cuba, the Bahamas and possibly Bermuda. AccuWeather forecasters warn the storm will remain extremely dangerous, with up to 90cm of rain and wind gusts of over 220km/h. The coasts of southeastern Cuba are expected to be flooded, with waters that may reach three meters.
The unpaid “hurricane chasers” in the battle with nature
Indicative of the danger, US NOAA aircraft entering the storm’s core to measure its intensity have encountered extreme turbulence, while crews are working without pay due to the federal government shutdown. Meteorologist Andy Hazelton described Melissa as “a cyclone with terrifying energy and extremely violent pressure swings”.
As Melissa continues its devastating path, international organizations are warning that the Caribbean is entering a new humanitarian crisis. Jamaican authorities are calling for international help, while residents are preparing for the worst. The sky darkens over Kingston – and Jamaican history is being written again, this time to the deafening sound of the wind.
