Tropical Storm Melissa Brings Life-Threatening Flash Flooding and Landslides to Jamaica and Haiti

Strategic Insights -

Jamaicans and Haitians are bracing for the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane this weekend. Weather officials have warned of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides expected in portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through the weekend. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports that the storm is 215 miles southeast of Kingston and 225 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. In Haiti, the Civil Protection Department has reported two deaths and one injury in a landslide in Fontamara, Port-au-Prince, bringing the number of severe weather victims to three dead and five injured in the past 48 hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a Hurricane Watch for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince and Jamaica.
  • Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by Sunday, bringing with it potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica and Haiti.
  • The storm is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 25 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, with local maxima of 35 inches possible across the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti.
  • Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) to help save lives and properties.
  • The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has activated its hurricane preparedness plan, with members deployed to protect critical infrastructure and maintain security in flood-prone areas.
  • Hoteliers and local tourism stakeholders are bracing for the passage of the weather system, with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett urging all stakeholders to prioritize safety and activate their internal disaster risk management systems.
  • The NHC predicts that a turn to the west is expected on Saturday, followed by a turn to the north and northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Statistics:

  • Tropical Storm Melissa is currently 215 miles southeast of Kingston and 225 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.
  • The NHC has issued a Hurricane Watch for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti and Jamaica.
  • The storm is expected to bring total rainfall of 15 to 25 inches to portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica.
  • Local maxima of 35 inches are possible across the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti.
  • Potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are possible across portions of Jamaica and the southern Dominican Republic.
  • Catastrophic flash flooding is anticipated in southern Haiti.

Sources:

  • "Tropical Storm Melissa" by the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
  • "Jamaica Constabulary Force Activates Hurricane Preparedness Plan" by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)
  • "Tourism Minister Urges Stakeholders to Prioritize Safety" by the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism
  • "Haiti Civil Protection Department Reports Two Deaths and One Injury in Landslide" by the Haitian Civil Protection Department
  • "Jamaica Prime Minister Announces Measures Under Disaster Risk Management Act" by the Government of Jamaica