Hurricane Melissa Brings "Storm of the Century" to Jamaica

As the Category 5 storm made landfall on the Caribbean island, fierce winds and torrential rain brought widespread destruction, leaving at least seven deaths in its wake. The Jamaican government declared the island a disaster area, warning residents of the catastrophic flash floods, landslides, and structural failure predicted for buildings near the hurricane's path. With over 2.8 million people ordered to stay inside, many Britons and Jamaicans were left to fend for themselves, struggling to come to terms with the devastation.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Melissa made landfall in south-western Jamaica near New Hope, bringing sustained wind speeds of up to 185mph and 700mm of rain.
• The storm was declared a disaster area by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, with extensive damage reported to schools, hospitals, and homes.
• At least seven deaths were reported before Melissa made landfall, including three in Jamaica, as well as the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
• The National Hurricane Centre warned of "total structural failure" for buildings near the hurricane's path, with half a million people left without power.
• The storm sliced diagonally across the island, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting warnings for crocodiles displaced by the hurricane to move into residential areas.

Statistics:

• The hurricane made landfall with sustained wind speeds of up to 185mph.
• 2.8 million people were ordered to stay inside to avoid the storm.
• At least 7 deaths were reported before the hurricane made landfall.
• Half a million people were left without power.
• 700mm of rain was reported in the affected areas.
• The storm sliced diagonally across the island, causing widespread destruction.

Sources:

• World Meteorological Organisation
• US National Hurricane Center
• Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
• UK Foreign Secretariat
• NOAA