As Hurricane Melissa drifts through the western Caribbean, Jamaica once again finds itself on edge — steady but alert, faithful but cautious.
What began as a slow tropical disturbance has now strengthened into a full hurricane, moving at barely one mile per hour. Meteorologists warn of torrential rains, flash flooding, and landslides, but the island meets this threat with what it knows best — preparation and prayer.
A Slow-Moving Threat
Melissa’s sluggish pace has made her dangerous. Since emerging earlier in the week, the storm has hovered over warm seas, gathering moisture and strength. By October 25, Jamaica’s Meteorological Service upgraded warnings as Melissa reached hurricane strength.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) projects rainfall totals of 15 to 25 inches across much of the island, with up to 35 inches in isolated pockets. In coastal zones, especially along the south and east, storm surges could reach 10 to 11 feet if Melissa drifts closer to shore.
What makes this storm so unsettling is not its speed — but its stillness. A hurricane that crawls means rain that lingers, rivers that rise, and hillsides that slowly give way.
Preparedness and Faith
Across Jamaica, hundreds of shelters have been opened, food and supplies pre-positioned, and rescue teams placed on alert. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for caution and calm.
But as always, Jamaicans meet warnings with a blend of practicality and faith.
“God already keep the storm back,” said one man in St. Mary, hammering hurricane straps into his roof. “It might circle ‘round, but it can’t come through unless Him say so.”
That faith — not naïve, but rooted in centuries of endurance — holds the island steady.
The Role of Jamaica’s Mountains
Jamaica’s landscape shapes every storm. The Blue Mountains, rising to 7,402 feet, force warm, moist air upward — creating torrential rainfall as clouds cool and condense.
This orographic lift explains why parishes like Portland, St. Mary, and St. Andrew often record the heaviest rains during tropical systems.
However, while the mountains can break up surface winds locally, they cannot steer hurricanes away.
Hurricanes move according to large-scale atmospheric steering currents — ridges, troughs, and pressure systems. Jamaica’s peaks may reduce wind intensity in some areas, but they can’t “turn” a storm like Melissa.
Why Forecasters Expect Melissa to Turn
Many Jamaicans are watching radar maps and wondering if the island’s high ridges will deflect the storm. The answer lies above the mountains — in the upper atmosphere.
Meteorologists expect a mid-level trough — a dip in high-altitude winds — to pull Melissa northward by early next week. The storm’s slow movement gives those winds time to catch it.
So when the hurricane turns, it won’t be the mountains doing the work — it’ll be the air currents above the Caribbean basin.
The Calm Before the Chaos: When the Eye Arrives
For anyone who has lived through a major hurricane, the eye is both awe-inspiring and deadly.
As the eye moves overhead, the winds suddenly stop. Rain ceases. Sunlight breaks through. Birds return. It feels like peace — but it’s the most dangerous kind.
This is not the end of the storm — only halftime. The second half, known as the backside, comes with winds blowing in the opposite direction. Anything loosened in the first half will be ripped apart in the second.
During Hurricane Gilbert (1988), many Jamaicans stepped outside during the lull, believing it was safe. Moments later, the winds returned with even greater fury — roofs flew, power lines fell, and lives were lost.
SIDEBAR: What to Do During the Eye
(Post this near the radio, in the kitchen, or by your emergency kit.)
- Stay Indoors. Do not leave shelter, even if the sky clears. The calm will last minutes, not hours.
- Avoid Checking Damage. Resist the urge to inspect roofs or fallen trees.
- Secure Doors. Keep internal doors closed to maintain pressure balance.
- Monitor Radio or Battery Updates. Wait for the all-clear from the Meteorological Service or ODPEM before stepping outside.
- Expect the Winds to Reverse. The second half often hits harder. Brace for wind direction change and additional debris.
Remember: The calm is only an illusion — the storm’s heart before it strikes again.
When the Eye Crosses: Jamaica’s Storm History
Jamaica has faced several hurricanes whose eyes crossed or brushed the island:
| Hurricane | Year | Eye Over Jamaica? | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie | 1951 | ✅ Yes | Crossed near Kingston as a Cat. 3 |
| Flora | 1963 | ⚪ Grazed East | Flooding in St. Thomas & Portland |
| Gilbert | 1988 | ✅ Yes | Crossed entire island E–W, Cat. 3 |
| Ivan | 2004 | ❌ No | Passed 30 km south; massive floods |
| Dean | 2007 | ⚪ Grazed South | High winds in Clarendon, Manchester |
| Sandy | 2012 | ✅ Yes | Crossed St. Thomas to Portland |
Gilbert, in particular, left an indelible mark. It made landfall near Morant Point, traversed the island, and exited through Hanover. The eye — calm, blue, deceptive — divided a storm that changed the island forever.
Building Resilience: The Roof Above Your Head
One of Gilbert’s greatest lessons was that most hurricane damage begins at the roof.
When wind hits a structure, it creates a pressure difference — suction above, compression below. If a roof isn’t properly tied to the walls, it can lift off like a lid.
SIDEBAR: How to Secure Your Roof
(Adapted from Jamaican building code and disaster preparedness manuals.)
- Install Hurricane Straps:
- Use metal straps or clips to connect rafters to wall plates.
- Each strap forms a continuous load path — roof to wall, wall to foundation.
- Check Fastenings:
- Replace loose nails with screws or ring-shank nails.
- Use washers to secure zinc sheets firmly.
- Anchor the Foundation:
- Tie the walls to the foundation with bolts or straps to resist uplift.
- Seal and Inspect:
- Patch cracks or gaps where wind or water can enter.
- Use roof cement or sealant along seams.
- Trim Overhanging Trees:
- Falling branches are a leading cause of roof punctures.
- Secure Water Tanks and Antennas:
- Strap tanks and remove antennas before winds rise.
A house that’s strapped, sealed, and elevated stands a far better chance of surviving Category 3 or 4 conditions.
Mountains: Both Shield and Snare
While Jamaica’s mountains can blunt the storm’s wind, they also magnify the rain. Moist air rises along the slopes, cools, and releases torrents that feed rivers like the Wag Water, Rio Cobre, and Hope.
This is why flash flooding and landslides are among Jamaica’s most dangerous hurricane impacts. A storm that lingers — like Melissa — can turn parishes into riverbeds.
“The mountains protect us, yes,” said a farmer in Portland, “but them also wash we away.”
That duality defines life in Jamaica’s interior: beauty and danger, blessing and burden.
Why the Second Half Hurts More
When the storm’s eye passes and the winds reverse, the damage often doubles.
- Wind Direction Change: Structures weakened in the first half are struck from the opposite side.
- Flying Debris: Loosened zinc, branches, and signage become airborne.
- Pressure Surge: Sudden shifts cause internal walls or doors to fail.
- Flood Compounding: Rain from the second half falls onto already-saturated soil, triggering slides.
This is why the last hour of a hurricane often causes the worst damage.
Properly strapped roofs, sealed windows, and sound drainage can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.
Engineering Meets Faith
In the years since Gilbert, Jamaica’s builders have embraced hurricane-resistant design. Real estate developers in Kingston and Montego Bay now use:
- Reinforced concrete walls
- Impact-resistant glass
- Drainage grading
- Backup solar and water systems
Meanwhile, traditional Jamaican design — wide eaves, high ceilings, and verandas — is making a comeback for its cooling efficiency and resilience.
As one architect put it, “Good design is both smart and spiritual — it respects the land God gave us.”
History’s Echo
Jamaica has seen near misses before — Ivan (2004) just to the south, Dean (2007) brushing the coast, Elsa (2021) skimming north. Each brought damage, but also lessons.
Hurricane Gilbert (1988) remains the benchmark: a direct hit that reshaped how Jamaicans think about disaster readiness.
And now, with Hurricane Melissa, the island revisits that lesson — the balance of readiness and reverence, of mountains and mercy.
Faith, Mountains, and the Morning After
In the end, hurricanes test more than buildings; they test spirit.
When the rain stops and the sun returns, Jamaicans will step out to assess the damage — to roofs, to roads, to fields. But the island’s heart will still be beating strong.
Because in Jamaica, faith is not just a word — it’s architecture. It’s the invisible hurricane strap that holds a nation together.
“The storm may come,” said a pastor in Clarendon, “but the rock of faith stands firm.”
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and reflects conditions as of publication. Follow official updates from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) and ODPEM for the latest advisories and emergency instructions.