Melissa Intensifies to Category 5 With 165 mph Winds — All of Jamaica Under Hurricane Warning

In a development that has shocked forecasters, Hurricane Melissa has undergone rapid intensification and is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and a central pressure of 935 mb — among the strongest readings ever recorded in this region of the Atlantic basin. A full Hurricane Warning is in effect for the entire island of Jamaica.

All airports are closed. Norman Manley International and Sangster International have suspended all commercial operations indefinitely. The Port Authority of Jamaica has cleared all vessels from Kingston Harbour. ODPEM has ordered mandatory evacuation of all coastal and low-lying areas across western and south-western parishes.

Overnight, Melissa’s eye wall contracted sharply and winds increased by more than 40 mph in just 12 hours — a textbook rapid intensification event that NHC forecasters acknowledge exceeded their models. The system is now tracking in a manner that threatens the western end of Jamaica with direct eye wall passage.

The Saffir-Simpson scale defines a Category 5 as capable of producing catastrophic damage. At this intensity, entire neighbourhoods are likely to be levelled, most trees felled, and power infrastructure destroyed. Outages are expected to last weeks or months across affected areas. Structures not built to current code face near-total destruction.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness spoke to the nation early this morning in an emergency broadcast: “This is the most serious hurricane threat Jamaica has faced in a generation. Every Jamaican in the path of this storm must be in a shelter or a strong concrete structure before nightfall today.”

The Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force are conducting final door-to-door checks in coastal communities across Westmoreland, Hanover, and St. Elizabeth. Emergency services will not be deployable once winds exceed 45 mph.

If you are still in the direct path, this is your final opportunity to seek substantial shelter:

• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of the strongest available structure away from windows.
• If in a government shelter, follow all instructions from the warden.
• Do not attempt to travel once tropical storm-force winds begin — flying debris is lethal.
• Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to RJR, IRIE FM, or Power 106 for official updates.
• After the storm passes, do not go outside during the eye. Winds will resume with equal ferocity from the opposite direction.

This is a life-threatening emergency. All Jamaicans are urged to take shelter immediately.

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