The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, warned this Monday, October 27, on the American network CNN that Hurricane Melissa, which is approaching dangerously to the west of the country, could cause considerable damage and called on residents to take all necessary precautions.
“I don’t think any infrastructure in this region can withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” the highest and the one Melissa has already reached, “so there could be significant destruction,” said the Prime Minister.
Jamaica was preparing on Monday for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, which could be the strongest ever to make landfall on its territory and could cause catastrophic flooding and landslides.
The hurricane is moving at very low speed.
“Melissa is moving slowly west-northwest and is expected to turn northward later today…The hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica,” the Prime Minister said in X.
The concern is all the greater since Hurricane Melissa is moving at very low speed, 6 kilometers per hour. Therefore, its torrential rains and strong winds could last forever in the affected areas.
For climatologist Daniel Gliford, climate change is also aggravating “all the most damaging aspects of Hurricane Melissa.”
The last major hurricane – category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale – to make landfall in Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert, which caused 40 deaths and enormous damage in the country in September 1988.
Source: BFM TV
