Jamaica is bracing for the strongest storm of the year, Category five Hurricane, Melissa, with US meteorologists warning of catastrophic and life-threatening winds, flooding, and storm surge. The system, currently packing winds up to 175 miles per hour, is expected to make landfall by this evening, unleashing destruction across the Caribbean island.

 

 

According to the National Hurricane Centre ( NHC) of the US, Melissa is moving west-north-west at just 6 km/h. Meteorologists say destructive winds and life-threatening storm surges are expected to hit Jamaica by this evening. Also, 40 inches of rain (100cm) is possible in parts of Jamaica over the next four days. Its slow pace, described by experts as a “crawl”, has raised fears of torrential rain, flooding, and landslides that could persist for days.

 

 

The storm is currently turning toward Jamaica at a pace slower than a walking human, meaning it will linger longer over land, dumping rainfall measured in feet rather than inches.

 

 

Melissa has already claimed four lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Several people have been rescued by the rising floodwater. The Jamaican government has ordered evacuations for parts of Kingston, and the entire island has been classed as threatened.