Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Bears Down on Jamaica with Catastrophic 280 Km/H Winds

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is advancing toward the central Caribbean, threatening Jamaica with "catastrophic" and "life-threatening" winds exceeding 280 kilometers per hour (174 mph). The storm is forecast to make direct landfall on the island nation today, Tuesday, October 28.

According to the latest report issued by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 06:00 GMT, Melissa was situated approximately 215 kilometers (134 miles) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba.

Melissa maintains maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h, with forecasters noting that gusts are expected to be even more intense. This intensity classifies Melissa as a major Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the highest classification possible.

The NHC warned that the storm's center is expected to impact Jamaica directly today, bringing not only extreme winds but also heavy rainfall, storm surge, and generalized flooding.

Following its passage over Jamaica, the hurricane is projected to continue its path through the Caribbean. Forecasters anticipate the center of Melissa will move across southeastern Cuba early Wednesday morning before continuing toward the southern and central Bahamas later that day.

In anticipation of the direct hit, Jamaican authorities have issued red alerts across the entire island. Officials ordered the closure of airports, ports, and educational centers as part of comprehensive emergency measures designed to protect the population.

The NHC warned that the severity of the storm is expected to cause total structural damage in affected areas. The accompanying torrential precipitation is highly likely to trigger sudden floods and dangerous landslides, particularly in mountainous regions.

The effects of the approaching storm were already being felt in the capital. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston had registered wind gusts up to 83 km/h, serving as a prelude to the catastrophic conditions expected as the core of the hurricane approaches the coastline. Residents were urged to complete preparations immediately and heed evacuation orders where applicable, given the severe threat posed by the Category 5 winds and storm surge.