Hurricane Melissa tore through southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category Five storm, unleashing winds of up to 185 miles per hour (295 km/h) and intense rainfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed.
The NHC described Melissa as “extremely dangerous and life-threatening,” warning residents to stay indoors even if the storm’s eye passed overhead.
“Do not go outside as the eye passes,” the NHC cautioned in its latest advisory. “Winds will quickly intensify again on the other side.”
The hurricane made landfall near the New Hope community, ripping apart rooftops, toppling trees, and plunging much of Jamaica into darkness.
Energy Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that nearly one-third of the island had lost power after transmission lines collapsed under the storm’s force.
“Repair crews are on standby,” Vaz said, “but conditions are too dangerous for any restoration work right now.”
Residents shared harrowing scenes of destruction. One man told the BBC that “the winds are so strong you can’t even stand upright.” A woman added, “Water is pouring through my roof. I am terrified.”
In a nationwide broadcast, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie urged citizens to remain indoors and not underestimate the hurricane’s danger.
“This is not the time to be brave,” McKenzie warned. “Don’t bet against Melissa — it’s a bet we can’t win.”
Meteorologists fear conditions could worsen overnight. Forecasters expect heavier rainfall and stronger gusts as Melissa continues its destructive path across Jamaica.
Communication remains severely disrupted across several parishes. Emergency response teams are reportedly using satellite phones to coordinate disaster efforts after cell towers went down.
Authorities are monitoring the storm’s path closely amid fears of flooding and landslides in the island’s mountainous regions. Rescue operations are expected to begin as soon as weather conditions improve.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has also activated its crisis coordination network to support Jamaica’s response as Hurricane Melissa one of the strongest storms ever to hit the island continues to move inland.
