What's happened
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is approaching Jamaica and Cuba, with expected landfalls and heavy rainfall causing flooding, landslides, and evacuations. The storm has already caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Authorities warn of severe impacts and delayed recovery efforts.
What's behind the headline?
The slow movement of Melissa significantly amplifies its destructive potential. Its pace of just 7 km/h means extended exposure to heavy rain, which will likely cause catastrophic flooding and landslides, especially in Jamaica and Haiti. The storm's intensity, forecast to reach Category 5, makes it one of the strongest in recent history for the region. Governments' evacuation efforts, including Cuba evacuating over 600,000 people, are critical but may face delays due to infrastructure damage and blocked roads. The storm's impact on agriculture and infrastructure will likely be severe, with long-term recovery challenges. The storm also highlights the increasing intensity of hurricanes linked to climate change, emphasizing the need for regional resilience planning. The fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic underscore the storm's deadly potential, especially in vulnerable communities. Overall, Melissa's trajectory and strength forecast a major disaster for the Caribbean, with widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and ongoing humanitarian needs.
What the papers say
The Independent reports Melissa as a Category 5 storm with winds of 175 mph, warning of a life-threatening storm surge and slow-moving nature that will prolong impacts. NY Post emphasizes the storm's strength, potential to be Jamaica's strongest in decades, and the importance of urgent evacuations. Al Jazeera highlights the storm's slow pace and extreme rainfall potential, predicting catastrophic flooding and landslides. All sources agree on the storm's severity, with Cuba evacuating over 600,000 people and Jamaica activating over 650 shelters. The reports collectively underscore the imminent danger and regional preparedness efforts, with authorities urging residents to heed warnings and evacuate where necessary.
How we got here
Melissa, a powerful hurricane, formed in the Atlantic and intensified to Category 5, driven by warm sea temperatures. It is moving slowly, increasing the risk of prolonged heavy rain and flooding in the Caribbean. Regional governments have issued warnings and evacuation orders as the storm approaches.
Go deeper
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Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning 10,990 square kilometres in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean.
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