World’s Strongest Storm of the Year Bears Down on Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa, now the world’s strongest storm of the year, is closing in on Jamaica, with forecasters warning of “catastrophic and life-threatening” conditions.

Thousands of Jamaicans have already been evacuated, but the hurricane’s painfully slow approach has left many enduring days of anxiety and uncertainty. Meteorologists say Melissa could still be a Category 5 hurricane when it makes landfall, though the exact timing remains unclear.

The storm, packing sustained winds of 175 mph, has been creeping northward at around 7 mph after earlier crawling at just 2 mph. Experts warn that its slow movement makes it far more destructive, as it prolongs exposure to extreme winds, torrential rains, and storm surges.

Forecasters say Melissa could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica, bringing up to 30 inches of rain to the island and a potential 13-foot storm surge along the southern coast. Similar impacts are expected in parts of Cuba, where rainfall could reach 25 inches and storm surges up to 11 feet.

Residents in the capital, Kingston, describe terrifying conditions. One British woman told the BBC, “There’s this weird roar… like something’s coming,” while a Jamaican man reported, “The winds are so strong you wouldn’t be able to stand up.”