Melissa Becomes Category 1 Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds on Saturday afternoon. The storm has put Jamaica and Caribbean residents, including Belizeans, on high alert. The storm is centred 145 miles southeast of Kingston and moving at just 1 mph.

Rapid intensification is expected over the weekend, with forecasts predicting Melissa could reach Category 4 strength before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday.

Torrential rains are already affecting Haiti. Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned the storm could produce 15 to 25 inches of rainfall.

News 5 understands that some UWI students living in other Caribbean islands are flying out of the island this morning.

One second-year law student and police officer, Darwin McFadzean, shared on social media his experience during this time. He said he’s part of another dozen students who have been “left to fend for themselves.”

“Many of us survive on a hand to mouth basis because Jamaica is no joke, Jamaica is EXPENSIVE,’ McFadzean added.

Meteorological Service Director Evan Thompson cautioned in a special conference, “There is nowhere that will escape the wrath. It’s going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods.”

He added, “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.”

Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will close Saturday night. Meanwhile, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is under review, with several flights having been cancelled or adjusted.

Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has fully activated the National Emergency Operations Centre. The disaster agency has placed the country at Level 3—full response phase, involving all members of the National Response Team, first responders, and support agencies.