Jamaica hurricane update: Category 5 Melissa lashes the island with catastrophic wind, rain and surge

Jamaica is facing a historic weather emergency as Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, begins delivering violent winds, life-threatening storm surge and extreme rainfall. Officials have urged residents in flood-prone and coastal zones to seek higher ground immediately, warning that the combination of slow forward speed and record-warm Caribbean waters could prolong destructive conditions for many hours.

Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica: the latest

Melissa’s maximum sustained winds have intensified into the Category 5 range, with gusts capable of causing total roof failure, widespread structural damage and downed power infrastructure. The storm’s crawl—measured at just a few miles per hour—raises the risk of catastrophic freshwater flooding and landslides, especially along Jamaica’s windward slopes and in urban drainage basins.

Key impacts now unfolding or expected next:

• Wind: Prolonged periods of extreme, hurricane-force winds capable of rendering some areas inaccessible for emergency crews.

• Rainfall: Forecast totals that could exceed 30–40 inches in the hardest-hit belts, producing flash floods and debris flows.

• Storm surge: Dangerous, rapidly rising water along exposed coasts and bays; local surge heights will vary with track and tides.

• Power/communications: Widespread outages are likely; restoration may take days in heavily damaged corridors.

Areas of greatest concern across Jamaica

• Southeast & South-central parishes (including urban Kingston): High wind exposure and rapid run-off into gullies; flash flooding can rise quickly and cut off neighborhoods.

• Blue Mountains and eastern highlands: Landslide risk increases with each additional hour of heavy rain; travel is extremely hazardous.

• North and northeast coasts (surf-facing inlets): Storm surge and battering waves threaten coastal roads, fishing villages, and low-lying communities.

What Jamaicans should do now

1. Move to safer shelter if advised: Use designated shelters or sturdy, inland concrete structures above known flood lines. Do not wait for conditions to deteriorate.

2. Avoid flooded routes: Just 6–12 inches of moving water can sweep vehicles away; roadbeds may be washed out beneath opaque floodwater.

3. Interior safety: Put on closed-toe shoes, keep helmets or hard hats handy if available, and shelter in a small, windowless room on the lowest non-flood-prone level.

4. Power precautions: Unplug sensitive electronics; avoid using generators indoors or near windows due to carbon monoxide risk.

5. Communication plan: Text rather than call to preserve network capacity; share your location once, then conserve battery.

6. After the eye or a lull: Do not venture outside—damaging winds will return from the opposite direction.

Travel, ports, and flights

Airports and seaports have suspended operations as conditions deteriorate. Travelers should expect extended cancellations and diversions until damage assessments are complete and runways, navigation aids, and terminal power are verified. Rebooking windows are likely to open only after authorities lift movement restrictions.

Why Hurricane Melissa is so dangerous for Jamaica

• Slow mover: A crawling track means the same watersheds receive hours of training thunderstorms, dramatically increasing flood and landslide risk.

• Topography: Steep terrain accelerates runoff; narrow valleys can funnel both wind and water into destructive bursts.

• Infrastructure exposure: Coastal roads, hillside communities, and informal settlements sit in harm’s way, magnifying impacts when drainage systems clog or fail.

• Compounding hazards: Simultaneous wind damage and freshwater flooding slow emergency access and lengthen power restoration timelines.

What to expect in the next 24–48 hours

• Tonight through Tuesday: The worst wind core and heaviest rain bands rotate across the island; peak surge coincides with onshore winds along vulnerable coasts.

• Tuesday into Wednesday: Bands gradually shift away, but dangerous flooding can persist as rivers crest hours after peak rainfall. Landslides may continue on saturated slopes.

• Early recovery phase: Damage surveys begin once winds subside. Expect phased reopening of main corridors, prioritized for hospitals, water, and utilities. Boil-water advisories are possible where treatment plants or mains are compromised.

Preparedness checklist for those still in place

• Fill bathtubs and containers for sanitation.

• Charge phones and power banks; switch devices to low-power mode.

• Keep a whistle, flashlight, first-aid kit, and a three-day supply of water and shelf-stable food.

• Store important documents in waterproof bags.

• If you live near a slope, monitor interior walls and floors for new cracks or shifting doors—signs of potential ground movement.

For families abroad

Communication with loved ones may be intermittent. Encourage short text check-ins, share a single family group thread to reduce network strain, and avoid calling local emergency numbers unless you are in Jamaica and require immediate assistance.

This is a developing situation. Details, track, and impact estimates may change as new advisories are issued and as conditions evolve on the ground.