Filipino Community in Jamaica Prepares for Devastating Hurricane Melissa

Around 300 Filipinos living on the island of Jamaica are bracing for the impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which is forecast to make landfall on the island late Monday or early Tuesday (local time).

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa is expected to make a direct hit on the western portion of Jamaica, an area already experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), making it one of the most powerful storms ever to strike the Caribbean nation.

Authorities have issued Hurricane Warnings for Jamaica and parts of eastern Cuba, including the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín. Hurricane Watches are also in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, while Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for Haiti and Las Tunas Province in Cuba.

Disaster officials have warned of catastrophic winds, flash flooding, landslides, and storm surges as Melissa approaches. The storm surge could reach up to 13 feet along Jamaica’s southern coastline, accompanied by large and destructive waves.

At 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.5° North and longitude 78.3° West, moving west-northwest at 3 mph (6 km/h). A slow turn toward the northwest and north is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the northeast and a faster forward speed on Tuesday.

On its current path, the core of Melissa is expected to move over Jamaica tonight and early Tuesday, cross southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and reach the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

The National Hurricane Center warned that tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles (315 km)from the center, while hurricane-force winds reach up to 30 miles (45 km). The minimum central pressure is estimated at 906 mb (26.76 inches).

Melissa is forecast to bring 15 to 30 inches (380–760 mm) of rainfall to parts of Jamaica, with localized amounts possibly reaching 40 inches (1,015 mm), triggering catastrophic flash floods and landslides. Eastern Cuba could receive 15 to 20 inches (380–510 mm) of rain, while the southeastern Bahamas may experience 4 to 8 inches (100–200 mm) between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Residents across affected regions are urged to complete all preparations, stay indoors, and monitor updates from their respective national meteorological services.