Hurricane Melissa roars into history: Category 5 monster targets Jamaica
Catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding expected across the Caribbean
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Hurricane Melissa has exploded into a Category 5 powerhouse, churning toward Jamaica with record-breaking intensity and the potential to cause catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean.
Rapid intensification and slow movement make Hurricane Melissa catastrophic
Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified over the weekend, becoming a powerful Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching 160 mph. The hurricane’s slow, relentless crawl and immense strength are combining to produce catastrophic flash flooding and intense winds across parts of the Caribbean.
Melissa is currently moving westward at just 3 mph. The storm is expected to gradually turn northwest and then north later Monday into Monday night, before accelerating northeastward beginning Tuesday and continuing through at least Thursday.
Torrential downpours, combined with Hurricane Melissa’s slow movement, could bring more than 30 inches of rain to parts of Jamaica, raising the risk of catastrophic flash flooding and deadly landslides.
Some additional strengthening is possible over the next 12 to 24 hours, keeping Hurricane Melissa at or near Category 5 intensity. The National Hurricane Center will have the latest on this devastating hurricane.
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