One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Melissa, made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, unleashing catastrophic winds, torrential rains and massive destruction. The Category 5 storm—packing sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph)—tore across the island with unprecedented force, leaving many describing the event as historic and heartbreaking.
Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council, urged residents to seek shelter immediately. “Jamaica, this is not the time to be brave,” he pleaded, warning citizens to stay indoors as the storm’s violent winds battered the coastline.
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The streets of Kingston, normally alive with music and motion, fell silent. Only the roar of the wind and the distant crash of debris filled the air. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the government had done everything possible to prepare but admitted the sheer magnitude of the storm was beyond human control.
“There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” Holness said. “The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge.”
According to Michael Brennan of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Melissa’s core could bring “total building failures,” with gusts up to 200 mph (322 kph) in Jamaica’s highest mountain regions. Meteorologist Michael Lowry called it “a worst-case scenario unfolding for Jamaica.”
Reports of landslides, power outages and fallen trees poured in as Melissa’s eye crossed near New Hope, moving north-northeast toward Cuba. Evacuations began in flood-prone areas while officials warned of a life-threatening storm surge up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the southern coast.
“The noise is relentless,” said Colin Bogle, a Mercy Corps adviser said. “People are anxious and just trying to hold on until the storm passes.”
Government officials confirmed that boats, helicopters and rescue teams are standing by to respond as soon as conditions allow. But already, seven deaths have been reported across the Caribbean—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.
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As Hurricane Melissa batters Jamaica with historic force, believers across the world are being called to intercede. Pray for the protection of every man, woman and child caught in the path of this storm. Ask the Lord to calm the winds, preserve life and bring swift relief to those in danger.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
