Hurricane Melissa Brings Catastrophic Category 5 Storm Surge to Jamaica

Heavy floodwaters and powerful winds from Hurricane Melissa ravaged southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and power outages. Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the cleanup and damage assessment could be slow due to the extensive destruction. The storm's category 5 status, with winds of up to 295 kilometres per hour, made it one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. As the storm moved northward, officials in Jamaica and Cuba prepared for the worst, with nearly 15,000 people taking shelter and over 540,000 customers losing power.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic category 5 storm, with winds of up to 295 kilometres per hour, and heavy floodwaters sweeping across the island.
• The storm caused widespread damage, landslides, and fallen trees, with nearly 15,000 people taking shelter and over 540,000 customers losing power.
• Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the cleanup and damage assessment could be slow due to the extensive destruction.
• The storm's category 5 status tied two records for the strongest Atlantic storm at landfall, with the key measurement of central pressure reaching 892 millibars and winds tied to the 1935 hurricane and 2019's Hurricane Dorian.
• Crews were unable to help trapped families in the community of Black River due to dangerous conditions, with some families needing obstetric care and delivery assistance.
• Rohan Brown, with Jamaica's Meteorological Service, warned that as Melissa moves off the coast, it will bring a heavy storm surge to northern Jamaica through the night.
• The storm is headed toward Cuba, where it was expected to make landfall as a major hurricane early Wednesday, with up to 51 centimetres of rain forecast in areas and a significant storm surge along the coast.
• Officials in Eastern Cuba have said they will reopen airports by Thursday once the storm passes and assess the damage.

Statistics:

• 15,000 people took shelter in Jamaica.
• 540,000 customers lost power.
• 295 kilometres per hour was the storm's highest wind speed at landfall.
• 892 millibars was the central pressure of the storm, tying the record for the strongest Atlantic storm.
• 51 centimetres of rain was forecast in areas.
• The storm surge was expected to reach four metres.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• The Associated Press - News: 77114261
• The Associated Press - Waves batter the shores of Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa swept through the area on Tuesday.