‘Storm of the Century’ Hits Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa Brings Catastrophic Winds and Flooding

Washington — Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, unleashing devastating winds, torrential rainfall, and a massive storm surge that threatens to cause unprecedented destruction across the island.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a dire warning, calling Melissa “the storm of the century” for Jamaica.

“With storm surge up to 13 feet and rainfall reaching 40 inches, there will be catastrophic flash flooding and landslides,” said Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone specialist with the WMO. “For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure.”

Packing sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h), Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane — the strongest to strike Jamaica in more than a century, according to WMO data.

The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) warned that the storm could directly impact up to 1.5 million people, more than half of Jamaica’s population. Emergency shelters across the island are already full, and authorities are pre-positioning food, clean water, and medical supplies to cope with the disaster.

“This is a disaster in the making,” said Philippe Guinand, IFRC Regional Director. “Melissa’s strength and slow movement mean that damage will be severe and long-lasting. Recovery could take years.”

Jamaican officials reported widespread power outages and communication breakdowns even before landfall. Daryl Vaz, Minister for Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, confirmed that the national power grid operated by Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has been “significantly impacted by hurricane conditions,” with several areas already in darkness.

Evan Thompson, Principal Director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, urged residents to remain indoors and avoid coastal regions. “People must prepare for flooding, landslides, storm surge, and, of course, those powerful winds,” he cautioned.

The hurricane has already claimed seven lives across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. All three nations have declared states of emergency as Melissa continues its destructive path.

“This storm will reshape Jamaica for years to come,” Fontan warned. “We are witnessing a truly catastrophic event.”

With inputs from IANS