Storm of the Century: Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced a catastrophic situation expected in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island, which could become the most powerful in the last century. The hurricane, which has been given the highest Category 5 rating, threatens to cause unprecedented damage to the island, bringing with it wind gusts exceeding 300 kilometers per hour, torrential rains, and landslides.

"For Jamaica, this will undoubtedly be the storm of the century," said Anne-Claire Fontan, a WMO specialist on tropical cyclones, at a briefing in Geneva. She noted that storm surges of up to four meters are expected, and the amount of precipitation could exceed 70 centimeters, which is about twice the norm expected during the entire rainy season. "This means there will be catastrophic floods and landslides," she added.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns that up to 1.5 million people could be directly affected by the storm. "Today is going to be an extremely difficult day for tens of thousands, if not millions, of people in Jamaica," said federation representative Nesephor Mgendi. "Roofs will be tested, water levels will rise, and isolation will become a harsh reality for many."

The authorities are taking emergency measures to mitigate possible damage. More than 800 shelters have been set up to evacuate residents from the most dangerous areas. "The main priority is to get people out of the danger zone to reduce the number of casualties," officials noted. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has also warned of possible mass destruction, stressing that no infrastructure in the region is capable of withstanding a storm of such magnitude. Experts note that the slow movement of the storm, about 5 km/h, further increases the risks by prolonging the impact of the destructive winds and rains on the island.