标签： South America

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.

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica, unleashing powerful winds and dangerous storm surges. The hurricane is expected to bring waves reaching up to 13 feet (3.9 meters) above ground level, posing significant threats to coastal areas. The National Hurricane Center has warned of widespread destruction caused by flying debris and severe flooding. Emergency services are on high alert, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid unnecessary travel. This marks one of the most intense storms to hit the region this year, with experts emphasizing the importance of preparedness in the face of such extreme weather events. The impact of Hurricane Melissa is likely to disrupt daily life, damage infrastructure, and affect local economies for weeks to come.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in history, has unleashed catastrophic conditions across Jamaica, prompting urgent warnings from the US National Hurricane Center. While climate change is not directly increasing the frequency of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones globally, it is amplifying their intensity. Warmer oceans and a heated atmosphere, both driven by climate change, are fueling higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and heightened risks of coastal flooding. This phenomenon is transforming already dangerous storms into even more destructive forces. Tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, are characterized by extreme wind speeds, torrential rains, and storm surges, which often result in widespread devastation. Although the global frequency of these storms has not risen over the past century, a growing proportion are reaching the most severe categories, with wind speeds exceeding 111 mph (178 km/h). The IPCC highlights ‘medium confidence’ in the increased average and peak rainfall rates linked to these storms, as well as a rise in ‘rapid intensification events,’ where wind speeds escalate dramatically. Additionally, tropical cyclones are moving slower across the Earth’s surface, prolonging rainfall and exacerbating flooding. For instance, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 stalled over Houston, dumping 100 cm of rain in just three days. Rising sea levels, driven by melting glaciers and thermal expansion of seawater, are further compounding the risks of coastal flooding. The IPCC concludes with ‘high confidence’ that human activities have contributed to increased precipitation in tropical cyclones and ‘medium confidence’ in their role in intensifying these storms. As global temperatures continue to climb, the proportion of category four and five hurricanes is expected to rise, underscoring the urgent need for climate action.

Jamaica is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm of the year, approaches its shores. With winds so fierce they can knock people off their feet, residents and tourists alike are bracing for what experts predict will be catastrophic and life-threatening conditions. The National Hurricane Center has issued dire warnings of torrential rainfall, deadly flash flooding, and landslides. Already, the storm has claimed lives in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica and four in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for at least seven high-risk areas in the southeast, where critical infrastructure, including the international airport and power plants, is located. Power outages have left over 200,000 people without electricity, and thousands have sought refuge in government shelters. However, many are reluctant to leave their homes, opting instead to fortify them with plywood, sandbags, and tied-down shutters. Supermarkets are empty, and essentials like bread are scarce. Tourists, too, are feeling the strain, with airports closed and flights canceled, leaving many stranded. Rebecca Chapman, visiting for her 25th wedding anniversary, described the eerie quiet and the ominous roar from the sea. Tim Hookway, a British national in Montego Bay, noted the muted atmosphere, while Alex Baskeyfield, from West Yorkshire, recounted the extreme preparations at his hotel, where everything from ceiling fans to televisions has been removed. The Foreign Office has advised Britons in Jamaica to heed local authority advice, particularly regarding evacuation orders. As Hurricane Melissa makes its slow approach, the sense of impending doom is palpable, with everyone hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Jamaica is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane with winds exceeding 280 km/h (174 mph), approaches its southern coast. This storm, now one of the most powerful ever recorded in the Atlantic, has intensified rapidly, growing from a tropical system to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours. Fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters, Melissa’s peak intensity has surpassed that of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, making it a historic threat to the island nation. The storm’s slow westward movement at 5 km/h raises concerns of prolonged rainfall, severe flooding, and devastating storm surges, particularly in low-lying areas like Clarendon and St Catherine. Meteorologists warn that Melissa’s sluggish pace could lead to catastrophic conditions, similar to Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Houston in 2017. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has cautioned that no infrastructure can withstand a storm of this magnitude, with rural and hillside communities expected to bear the brunt of the damage. The storm has already claimed lives in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, and its impact on tourism, power, and transportation networks could leave the country reeling for months. As Jamaica braces for this unprecedented disaster, experts emphasize the role of climate change in intensifying such extreme weather events.