The powerful and striking Hurricane Melissa made landfall today on the southwestern coast of Jamaica, near New Hope, with sustained winds reaching up to 295 kilometers per hour. The storm intensified to Category 5 just hours before making landfall.
Although it later weakened to Category 4, authorities warn that the danger remains high: torrential rains, storm surges, and extreme winds could cause massive destruction across the island.
The eye of the hurricane crossed Jamaica diagonally, leaving severe damage to homes, widespread power outages, and disruptions to hospital infrastructure. Organizations such as the UN have already labeled Melissa as “the storm of the century” for Jamaica, and it is estimated that more than 1.5 million people could be directly affected by the disaster.
Are we facing an unprecedented catastrophe in Jamaica?
Unfortunately, yes. Even though the hurricane has weakened slightly, its cumulative effects, flooding, landslides, persistent winds, and storm surges, pose a serious threat to entire communities. The magnitude of the event and its slow movement make this one of the most feared scenarios the island has faced in decades.