By asahifile Hurricane Melissa Strikes Jamaica as One of the Most Powerful Storms in History
Hurricane Melissa made a devastating landfall in southwestern Jamaica, near New Hope, on Tuesday at 1 PM ET. This monstrous storm carried sustained winds of a staggering 185 mph, marking it as one of the strongest hurricanes to impact land in the Atlantic region.
In a recent update from the National Hurricane Center, specialist Larry Kelly described Melissa as an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening” hurricane. The storm is unleashing not only heavy rainfall but also damaging storm surges and destructive winds upon the island, which is home to roughly 3 million residents. The aftermath of Melissa is anticipated to leave catastrophic and lingering effects on the region.
A Record-Breaking Hurricane
Melissa’s intensity is remarkable, tying it with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 as the most powerful hurricane to ever strike a landmass in the Atlantic Basin. It also matches this historic storm in terms of strength at landfall, measured by a central pressure of 892 millibars.
Notably, Melissa is now ranked as the second strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic by wind speed, trailing only Hurricane Allen, which hit 190 mph in 1980. In terms of central pressure, only Hurricane Wilma (882 millibars) and Hurricane Gilbert (888 millibars) recorded lower pressures.
As Melissa slowly advances north at 9 mph, it has been battering Jamaica and other Caribbean islands with relentless rains and dangerous surges. One significant aspect of this storm is that its most powerful winds are confined to a narrow corridor of about 20 miles.
Hurricane Hunter Encounters Turbulence
The severity of Melissa was underscored when a Lockheed WC-130 aircraft, typically equipped to withstand hurricane conditions, had to abort its mission due to severe turbulence encountered while flying into the storm. The US Air Force Reserve reported that the aircraft felt unusual forces inside the eye of Melissa, necessitating a precautionary inspection before continuing operations.
The hurricane is expected to accelerate northeastward, moving over eastern Cuba and then the Bahamas, with potential implications for Bermuda later in the week. Although weakening is likely over this period, Melissa will still pose significant threats.
As Melissa wreaks havoc, it serves as a solemn reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature. Residents are urged to seek shelter and adhere to safety protocols as the storm continues its path of destruction.
For ongoing updates and safety information, residents should monitor local news sources and the National Hurricane Center’s advisories. Stay safe, everyone.