Record-Breaking Category 5 Hurricane Makes Landfall In Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s southwestern coast Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, battering the island with 185 mph winds, gusts over 200 mph and torrential rain. It is tied with a hurricane from 1935 as the strongest Atlantic hurricane to ever make landfall. The storm’s sustained winds are stronger than Hurricane Katrina’s at its peak.
Officials warned of catastrophic flash flooding, storm surge, and landslides as the hurricane pushes north across the island throughout the day.
The National Hurricane Center said winds within Melissa’s eye wall were so powerful they could cause “total structural failure” and widespread power and communication outages.
The storm will continue to pound Jamaica through Tuesday before moving toward Haiti and Cuba.
MELISSA’S STRENGTH
Ocean temperatures in the Caribbean, where Melissa traveled, are about 2.5°F warmer than usual, fueling the storm’s rapid intensification. Scientists say the hotter waters likely boosted the storm’s top winds by 10 mph — increasing its potential damage by up to 50%, according to the nonprofit Climate Central.
📲 We’ll be following the latest from Hurricane Melissa on the Mo News Instagram