Direct answer: Based on current forecasts and recent updates, Hurricane Melissa is a slow-moving, extremely powerful storm whose effects will last well beyond landfall. In Jamaica, destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall are expected to persist for many hours to days as the system traverses the island and weakens. The rainfall could continue for 24–48 hours or more in some areas, with accumulated totals potentially reaching tens of inches in mountainous regions. After Jamaica, the storm is expected to impact Cuba, continuing to bring dangerous winds and flooding for additional hours. Residents should heed local authorities, stay indoors well after the eye passes, and monitor official updates for evolving timing and intensity. Context and known subcomponents:
- Timing: Landfall in Jamaica is anticipated within a day, with impacts (winds, surge, rain) extending for many hours around landfall and into the following day as the storm moves north-northeast. Exact hours vary by location due to the storm’s slow forward speed.
- Impacts: Catastrophic winds (Category 5 intensity reported in forecasts), dangerous storm surge, and torrential rainfall are the primary hazards across Jamaica, with likely significant flooding and landslides in elevated areas. The hurricane’s slow movement magnifies duration of impacts.
- After Jamaica: The system is projected to continue toward Cuba, maintaining dangerous conditions for additional hours/days as it weakens.
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official timelines and correlations (eye passage times, surge height estimates, and rainfall totals) from current sources to give you a precise hour-by-hour outlook for your exact location.
