KINGSTON, Jamaica (FN) — Jamaican officials urged residents to evacuate low-lying areas and seek shelter Monday as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, crawled toward the island with maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the storm could bring “massive devastation,” particularly to Jamaica’s western region, where infrastructure is unlikely to withstand the hurricane’s force. “There could be significant dislocation,” Holness said in a televised interview.
Melissa, moving at just 3 miles per hour, is expected to make landfall Tuesday. Its slow pace could prolong dangerous conditions, including flash flooding, landslides, and destructive winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center described the storm’s potential impact as “catastrophic.”
The hurricane has already claimed seven lives across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Jamaican authorities said the local deaths occurred during storm preparations.
Despite evacuation orders, many residents have chosen to stay behind. “I am not moving. I don’t believe I can run from death,” said Roy Brown, a plumber in Port Royal, citing poor conditions in government shelters. Fisherwoman Jennifer Ramdial echoed the sentiment: “I just don’t want to leave.”
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie said only 133 of the island’s 880 designated shelters were occupied as of Monday evening. “They should be seeing people now,” he said, urging residents to act quickly.
In St. Elizabeth’s Flagaman farming community, store owner Enrico Coke opened his doors to neighbors seeking refuge. “I’m concerned about farmers. The fishermen will be suffering after this,” he said. “We’ll need help as soon as possible, especially water for the people.”
Melissa is forecast to dump up to 40 inches (one meter) of rain across Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. A storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) is expected along Jamaica’s southern coast.
The hurricane’s intensity has drawn comparisons to past disasters like Hurricane Maria in 2017 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Climate scientists say human-driven global warming is fueling the frequency and severity of such storms.
“Human-caused climate change is making all of the worst aspects of Hurricane Melissa even worse,” said Daniel Gilford, a climate scientist. Meteorologist Kerry Emanuel added, “Water kills a lot more people than wind.”
Melissa is expected to cross eastern Cuba late Tuesday after passing over Jamaica. The last major hurricane to strike the island was Beryl in July 2024.
Holness urged Jamaicans to prioritize safety. “You have been warned,” he said. “It’s now up to you to use that information to make the right decision.”
