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United Nations

Hurricane Melissa Brings "Severe" Threat to Jamaica and the Caribbean

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Millions in Jamaica and the Caribbean are bracing for massive impact from Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday, with the UN and partners warning of a "severe" and "immediate" threat. The category 5 hurricane, expected to be the strongest on the planet this year, is putting a million people at direct risk, including families still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which hit the island nation only 16 months ago. The storm is expected to bring catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and extensive infrastructure damage, isolating communities and cutting off essential services for days if not weeks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Melissa is expected to be the strongest hurricane on the planet this year, with sustained winds of 280 kilometers per hour.
  • The storm is expected to bring three times the normal amount of precipitation for a rainy month in Jamaica, or up to 700 millimeters (27.5 inches).
  • Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are expected, with storm surge of up to 4 meters (13.1 feet) on the southern coast of Jamaica.
  • The humanitarian threat is severe and immediate, with communities at risk of extensive infrastructure damage, isolation, and loss of essential services.
  • The IFRC has prepositioned supplies for 800 households in Jamaica, with the capacity to deliver supplies for 60,000 households within four hours.
  • The UN has activated an anticipatory mechanism, triggering a $4 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to pre-position food, water, hygiene items, and health supplies.
  • The world is expected to come together in response to this disaster, with the IFRC anticipating global solidarity and collective response.

Statistics:

  • 1 million people are at direct risk from Hurricane Melissa.
  • The storm is expected to bring 3 times the normal amount of rainfall for a rainy month in Jamaica.
  • 800 shelters have been prepared in Jamaica.
  • $4 million has been allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to pre-position supplies.
  • The storm is expected to bring 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) of rainfall.
  • The category 5 hurricane is expected to be the strongest on the planet this year.

Sources:

  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
  • United Nations (UN)
  • United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
  • National Hurricane Center in Miami.

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