Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, delivering extremely damaging winds and heavy rainfall, and triggering widespread evacuations and emergency responses across the island. The latest reporting indicates Jamaica experienced catastrophic impacts, with authorities and international aid agencies warning of severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and agriculture, and large-scale flooding and landslides in multiple parishes. The storm subsequently moved on toward Cuba, with Cuba preparing for continued impacts as Melissa tracked northwestward. Key points you asked about:
- Did Melissa hit Jamaica? Yes. Jamaica was struck by Hurricane Melissa, reaching Category 5 intensity at landfall and causing extensive damage and disruptions across the island.
- Intensity and effects at landfall: At landfall, Melissa exhibited extreme winds and a life-threatening storm surge, with rainfall totals driving flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable areas. These conditions led to evacuations, power outages, and major damage to housing and infrastructure in affected parishes.
- Aftermath and next steps: With Jamaica under severe strain, emergency services, shelters, and humanitarian organizations mobilized to assist displaced residents and to provide medical care, food, water, and shelter. Attention then shifted to Cuba as Melissa continued its path, raising concerns about further impacts and the need for regional cooperation in disaster response.
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official casualty and damage figures, map the parishes most affected, or summarize government and agency advisories from Jamaica and neighboring Caribbean nations.
