Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica and Cuba, Causes Widespread Destruction

Strategic Insights -

Heavy floodwaters and powerful winds ravaged southwestern Jamaica, landslides and fallen trees were reported, and nearly 15,000 people took shelter as Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, made landfall. The storm's winds, which reached 295 km/h, and massive storm surge caused extensive damage, with no infrastructure in the region able to withstand its fury. As the storm pummels the island, officials are cautioning that the cleanup and damage assessment could be slow, with no confirmed reports of deaths and extensive damage reported in the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, with winds reaching 295 km/h.
  • The storm caused widespread destruction, with heavy floodwaters sweeping across southwestern Jamaica, landslides, and fallen trees reported, and nearly 15,000 people taking shelter.
  • The storm's central pressure of 892 millibars tied two records for the strongest Atlantic storm at landfall, with winds of 295 km/h and tied the 1935 hurricane and 2019's Hurricane Dorian.
  • Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated that there is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5 storm, and the question now is the speed of recovery.
  • Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council, noted that extensive damage was reported in the southwestern parish of St. Elizabeth, which he said "is underwater."
  • Rohan Brown, with Jamaica's Meteorological Service, warned that as Melissa moves off the coast, its counterclockwise rotation will bring a heavy storm surge to northern Jamaica through the night.
  • Colin Bogle, a Mercy Corps adviser, stated that most families were sheltering in place despite the government ordering evacuations in flood-prone communities.
  • UN agencies and dozens of non-profits had food, medicine, and other essential supplies positioned as they awaited a distribution rush after the storm.
  • In a televised address to the nation, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged the population not to underestimate the power of the storm, "the strongest ever to hit national territory."

Statistics:

  • Winds: 295 km/h, the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record at landfall.
  • Storm surge: up to four meters expected, affecting hospital areas and causing concern about hospitals along the coast.
  • Power outages: over 540,000 customers, or 77%, without power in Jamaica.
  • Shelters: nearly 15,000 people took shelter in Jamaica.
  • Deaths: seven reported in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.
  • Rainfall: up to 51 centimeters forecast in areas.
  • Landfall: expected to make landfall in eastern Cuba late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
  • Evacuations: over 200,000 people in eastern Holguín province prepared to evacuate on Tuesday, and a similar number evacuated earlier from the town of Banes.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • U.S. National Hurricane Center
  • Colorado State University
  • University of Miami
  • Jamaica's Meteorological Service
  • Prime Minister Andrew Holness
  • Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council
  • Rohan Brown, Jamaica's Meteorological Service
  • Colin Bogle, Mercy Corps adviser
  • UN agencies
  • Dozens of non-profits