Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with wind speeds reaching 150 mph (240 km/h), has unleashed unprecedented devastation across Jamaica, marking the strongest hurricane in the nation’s modern history. The US National Hurricane Center has warned of ‘catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surges,’ while Jamaica’s Meteorological Service predicts conditions will ‘significantly worsen.’ Nearly a third of the country is already without power, and images of uprooted trees and shattered homes are emerging as the storm continues its destructive path. Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone specialist at the World Meteorological Organization, described the situation as ‘catastrophic,’ with storm surges expected to reach up to four meters. ‘For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure,’ she stated. Hospitals have lost roofs, and residents are braving the tempest to rescue others. Some areas are forecast to receive up to 30 inches (76 cm) of rain, exacerbating flash flooding. With 70% of Jamaica’s 2.8 million population living within 5 km of the sea, the risk of displacement and danger is immense. Health officials have also warned that rising water levels could displace crocodiles into residential areas, urging residents to avoid floodwaters. The slow-moving hurricane is now heading toward Santiago de Cuba, where Cuban authorities have evacuated 500,000 people from vulnerable zones. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed grave concerns about the storm’s potential destruction. Earlier, Jamaica reported three fatalities due to storm-related incidents, including fallen trees.