What's happened
Hurricane Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica as a major storm early next week, with warnings issued across the Caribbean. It has caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and authorities are preparing for heavy rains, flooding, and infrastructure damage. The storm is forecast to impact Cuba and the Bahamas later this week.
What's behind the headline?
Critical Analysis
Melissa's slow-moving nature and increasing strength make it a significant threat to the Caribbean. Its potential to drop up to 40 inches of rain in some areas will likely cause severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and community isolation. The storm's trajectory towards Cuba and the Bahamas indicates a prolonged impact, with authorities in these regions already on alert.
This storm exemplifies the intensifying hurricane activity linked to climate change, with warmer sea temperatures fueling stronger storms. The delayed response and preparedness measures highlight the importance of early warnings and resilient infrastructure. The fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic underscore the human toll and the need for effective disaster management.
Looking ahead, Melissa's path suggests continued risk for the southeastern Caribbean and possibly the southeastern US if it shifts northward. The storm's slow movement will prolong its destructive potential, making ongoing monitoring and preparedness critical. This event underscores the importance of regional cooperation and climate resilience strategies to mitigate future impacts.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post provides detailed updates on Melissa's current position, forecast, and impact, emphasizing the storm's potential for heavy rainfall and infrastructure damage. The NY Post highlights the storm's expected strengthening and the warnings issued by authorities, with a focus on the storm's trajectory and fatalities. The Independent offers a comprehensive overview, including the storm's historical context within the Atlantic hurricane season and its broader implications related to climate change. All sources agree on the storm's seriousness and the need for urgent preparedness, though they differ slightly in emphasis—SCMP on detailed regional impacts, NY Post on forecast specifics, and The Independent on climate context and historical significance.
How we got here
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. It has intensified from earlier forecasts, with warnings issued as it approaches the Caribbean. The storm's slow movement and erratic path have increased concerns about prolonged heavy rainfall and flooding in affected regions, especially Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
Go deeper
Common question
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How Dangerous Is Hurricane Melissa Right Now?
Hurricane Melissa is currently approaching the Caribbean, with warnings issued across several nations. As the storm intensifies, many are wondering just how dangerous it is at this moment. In this page, we’ll explore the current threat level, which areas are most at risk, and what safety measures residents should take to stay safe during this powerful storm.
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Andrew Michael Holness, (born 22 July 1972) is a Jamaican politician who has served as Prime Minister of Jamaica since 3 March 2016, having previously served from 2011 to 2012, and as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) since 2011.
Holness previousl
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Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti formerly founded as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos
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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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The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region.