Tropical Storm Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, Principal Director of the Meteorological Service, Jamaica, Evan Thompson, confirmed.
The system, at the southeast of Kingston moving at just one mile per hour, currently carries sustained winds of 75 miles per hour.
Thompson has highlighted the destructive potential of Melissa, comparing it to Hurricane Gilbert, which caused significant damage as a Category 3 hurricane in 1988. Melissa is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane
Earlier on Saturday the Met Service reported that the storm is moving west-northwest at just one mile per hour, packing winds of 110 km/h. It is expected to pass south of Jamaica, and upon reaching south of Clarendon, will begin moving northward across the island.
“At that time it is expected to be a major hurricane because what we are expecting after today is that there will be rapid intensification of the system… it will continue to move towards the southern coastline of Jamaica. It should make impact with the coastline by Tuesday morning. Today is Saturday so we have about three days,” Thompson said at a news conference.
The Met Service official warned of significant rainfall over the coming days, cautioning that 15 to 25 inches of rain could result in “catastrophic” flooding. He urged residents living in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground or shelters, noting that the system will affect the country for an extended period.
“With the slow movement of this system, it doesn’t allow you to recover. It’s not like it’s going to just move off and then gradually water runs off. It’s going to sit there, pouring water while it’s barely moving and that is a significant challenge that we have to be aware of,” he said. “It’s going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods, as long as what is predicted does take place. There is a small window of a changing of track but even in my discussion with the hurricane centre this morning, they say that window is closing.”
“It’s going to be here for a long time. This system, as I said, from the earlier picture lots of rainfall and it will be with us for a good five days – heavy rainfall and increasing wind speed,” Thompson said.
Thompson explained that tropical storm force winds are expected to begin impacting the eastern end of the island on Saturday, with the rest of the country affected through Sunday. Hurricane-force winds are forecast to begin on Monday and continue into Tuesday. He added that the impact of the system will last for another two days after that.
“There is nowhere that will escape the wrath of this hurricane,” Thompson warned. (Jamaica Gleaner)
