Short answer: Based on current reporting, Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica late today or tomorrow, with catastrophic winds and extreme rainfall anticipated. Please treat this as a rapidly evolving situation and follow official emergency guidance. What to know right now
- Timing: The most recent updates indicate Jamaica could experience landfall within the next 12–24 hours, with the center passing near or over the island. Conditions are already deteriorating in many areas as tropical-force winds are spreading outward from the storm’s core.
- Severity: Melissa has intensified to a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest category on the Saffir-Simpson scale, bringing sustained winds around 160–175 mph (260–280 km/h) and life-threatening storm surge and rainfall. Jamaica is at very high risk for widespread damage, power outages, and major flooding or landslides.
- Impacts: Expect destructive winds, tens of inches of rain in some regions, dangerous surf, and potentially long-lasting outages and infrastructure damage. Evacuations and emergency measures have been underway in affected areas.
- Travel and safety: Airports and ports in the region have faced closures or disruptions; travel plans to Jamaica and nearby destinations are likely to be heavily affected for days. If in Jamaica or surrounding areas, follow shelter-in-place orders, heed local authorities, and have an emergency kit and a communications plan.
What to do if you’re in Jamaica
- Seek sturdy shelter away from flood-prone and coastal areas; stay indoors during the storm’s core passage.
- Keep informed via local emergency management alerts and trusted news outlets for the latest on landfall timing and safety instructions.
- Prepare for prolonged power and communications outages; charge devices, have flashlights, and stock emergency supplies.
If you’d like, I can consolidate the latest official advisories and create a concise, region-specific safety quick-guide (checkpoints, evacuation routes, and shelter locations) based on the most recent updates.
