Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 4 as It Approaches Cuba

Hurricane Melissa has intensified, now classified as a Category 4 storm as it approaches Cuba after causing extensive damage in Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the storm reached maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) when it made landfall in Jamaica, marking it as the strongest cyclone in recorded history for the island.

The NHC’s latest advisory indicated that Jamaica replaced its “Hurricane Warning” with a “Tropical Storm Warning.” Although damaging winds are expected to subside, officials urged residents to stay in shelters until dawn. Rohan Brown, of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, cautioned that as Melissa moves offshore, its counterclockwise rotation could generate a significant storm surge along northern Jamaica’s coastline.

As of the latest reports, approximately 15,000 individuals are housed in shelters with about 540,000 customers, or 77%, experiencing power outages. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed that the storm has caused severe damage, including to hospitals and residential structures, particularly in the parish of St Elizabeth, which has been described as “underwater.”

Melissa briefly weakened to a Category 3 hurricane but has since regained strength, prompting fresh warnings for the eastern provinces of Cuba, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo. Residents there are advised to seek shelter immediately as the storm is expected to make landfall in the coming hours.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized the potential severity of the storm, stating it could be “one of the most severe— or possibly the strongest” hurricanes to impact the island. Authorities in Cuba have already evacuated approximately 500,000 residents from areas prone to flooding and strong winds.

The NHC has issued hurricane warnings for several regions, including the Southeastern and Central Bahamas, as well as a hurricane watch for Bermuda. Tropical storm warnings are currently in effect for Jamaica, Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Aid organizations are preparing to respond, with the Red Cross estimating that around 1.5 million people could be directly affected by the storm, which is poised to become the most significant disaster in Jamaica’s history. These agencies plan to begin operations as soon as conditions allow.

Melissa’s rapid intensification reflects the broader trends associated with climate change, particularly the warming of ocean waters, which has been linked to the increasing frequency of severe storms. As the situation develops, authorities will continue to monitor the hurricane’s path and provide updates as necessary.