Jamaica and Haiti are bracing for a catastrophic impact from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that's expected to bring devastating floods, landslides, and a life-threatening storm surge. The hurricane intensified to its strongest form as it neared Jamaica on Monday, with forecasters warning of up to 30 inches of rain in some areas.
The storm's slow pace has already claimed the lives of at least three people in Haiti and a fourth in the Dominican Republic, where widespread damage has been reported. Schools and government offices have been ordered closed in four provinces due to the high risk of landslides and flooding.
Melissa is expected to make landfall on Jamaica Monday night and Tuesday, with forecasters predicting that some areas could receive as much as 40 inches of rain. The storm surge will be particularly deadly, peaking at 13 feet above ground level in coastal areas.
Desmond McKenzie, the deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council, has urged residents to take the storm seriously and avoid making any "foolish decisions" that could put them at risk. Daryl Vaz, Jamaica's transport minister, has warned that the next few days will be a "very, very serious time" for the country.
The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has expressed concern over the impact of flooding on Haiti's agricultural sector, which is already facing crisis levels of hunger due to crop failure. Melissa is expected to continue dumping torrential rain over southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic in upcoming days.
Cleanup efforts will be severely delayed due to anticipated landslides and blocked roads, according to Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica's meteorological service. The storm has already caused widespread damage across the Caribbean, with over 750 homes destroyed in the Dominican Republic and displacing more than 3,760 people.
As Melissa continues its path of destruction, residents are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The full extent of the storm's impact is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain - Jamaica and Haiti will face a catastrophic battle against the fury of Hurricane Melissa.
The storm's slow pace has already claimed the lives of at least three people in Haiti and a fourth in the Dominican Republic, where widespread damage has been reported. Schools and government offices have been ordered closed in four provinces due to the high risk of landslides and flooding.
Melissa is expected to make landfall on Jamaica Monday night and Tuesday, with forecasters predicting that some areas could receive as much as 40 inches of rain. The storm surge will be particularly deadly, peaking at 13 feet above ground level in coastal areas.
Desmond McKenzie, the deputy chairman of Jamaica's Disaster Risk Management Council, has urged residents to take the storm seriously and avoid making any "foolish decisions" that could put them at risk. Daryl Vaz, Jamaica's transport minister, has warned that the next few days will be a "very, very serious time" for the country.
The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has expressed concern over the impact of flooding on Haiti's agricultural sector, which is already facing crisis levels of hunger due to crop failure. Melissa is expected to continue dumping torrential rain over southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic in upcoming days.
Cleanup efforts will be severely delayed due to anticipated landslides and blocked roads, according to Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica's meteorological service. The storm has already caused widespread damage across the Caribbean, with over 750 homes destroyed in the Dominican Republic and displacing more than 3,760 people.
As Melissa continues its path of destruction, residents are advised to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The full extent of the storm's impact is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain - Jamaica and Haiti will face a catastrophic battle against the fury of Hurricane Melissa.
I'm really worried about these two countries being hit by this massive hurricane... 30-40 inches of rain? That's insane! I hope everyone in Jamaica and Haiti gets to safety ASAP. It's heartbreaking to think that more people might lose their lives because the storm surge is expected to be so deadly. 
Cleanup efforts are going to be super tough too, with landslides and blocked roads... it's like, what can you even do? I just hope the international community steps up to provide some relief to these countries when they need it most 
. Poor Jamaica and Haiti, they're about to get soaked... I mean, literally! 
The storm surge is gonna be like a giant wave of doom, and the landslides are just the cherry on top 
. At least the U.N. is looking out for those poor farmers in Haiti, hoping their crops don't go from hungry to zero 
. Cleanup efforts? Forget about it! It's like trying to clean up a giant mess with a tiny broom 
. Just wish everyone stays safe and dry... but let's be real, that's like asking the universe to stop raining 
It's like, 80% of Haiti's land area would be flooded, that's insane! 
And the storm surge is gonna be whooping 13ft above sea level, talk about a life-threatening situation! 
According to historical data, Category 5 hurricanes in Jamaica have resulted in an average of 150 deaths and over $7 billion in damages. I'm thinking this one might break records 
.
. We gotta do something about this ASAP! 
