Hurricane Melissa Set to Slam Jamaica as Category 4 Storm

Hurricane Melissa, a rapidly strengthening storm in the Caribbean, is on a direct and dangerous path toward Jamaica threatening to slam the island as a powerful Category 4 hurricane early this coming week.

What began as a tropical storm has now intensified dramatically, with maximum sustained winds already near 90 mph and projected to rise significantly in the coming days. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) is warning that Melissa could deliver 15 to 30 inches of rain, with some areas seeing as much as 40 inches, sparking fears of deadly flooding and mudslides.

• Landfall expected Tuesday as a Category 4 hurricane, with winds potentially reaching up to 156 mph

• Storm surges of up to 13 feet are expected on Jamaica’s southern coast

• Parts of Cuba and Haiti are also under hurricane watches or warnings

The storm’s slow pace currently drifting west at just 3 mph is raising alarms among experts, as it allows Melissa to linger longer, delivering more sustained damage.

“Today is really the last day to do what you have to do on the outside,” warned Evan Thompson, director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness held a press conference urging the nation to prepare. He emphasized that "the entire Jamaica will be impacted" for several days and advised residents in low-lying areas to consider evacuating. Yet, no official evacuation order has been issued.

Meanwhile, locals are scrambling to prepare:

• Fishermen and vendors in Kingston are securing boats and selling off goods before the storm hits

• Many residents are stockpiling supplies and reinforcing their homes

• Emotional pleas for divine intervention reflect the nation’s anxiety, with one local saying, “No matter what, we cannot manage it.”

This hurricane comes just a year after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc near the island, and locals fear Melissa could be even worse. “She wants to come stay, visit Jamaica for three days, why?” said one Kingston fisherman. “It’s going to slow down business, but it’s nature. We can’t fight against nature.”

The projected rainfall and storm surge levels are not just concerning they are catastrophic. Storms of this magnitude have the capacity to cripple infrastructure, displace thousands, and cause long-term economic damage. The broader region including Haiti and eastern Cuba is also on high alert as the storm approaches.

And as always, it's worth noting how the Biden administration’s silence on the matter thus far speaks volumes. When American citizens face crisis abroad, or when allied nations brace for disaster, decisive leadership matters. But under this administration, we’re too often met with either hesitation or indifference.

As Jamaica prepares to face the full fury of Hurricane Melissa, the need for strong leadership and international readiness is clear. The clock is ticking and nature waits for no one.

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