Hurricane Mellissa update: Planet's strongest storm this year hits Jamaica - here's where it's going to strike next

A chilling video has revealed the massive, swirling eye of Hurricane Melissa, the planet’s strongest storm this year, closing in on Jamaica. The Category 5 hurricane is expected to unleash catastrophic winds, torrential rain, and deadly storm surges as it tears across the island early Tuesday morning.

How dangerous is Hurricane Melissa?

A menacing aerial video has captured the monstrous eye of Hurricane Melissa spinning toward Jamaica, a haunting image of nature’s raw power. The slow-moving Category 5 hurricane, labeled “catastrophic” by forecasters, is on track to become the largest storm ever recorded in Jamaica’s history, as per a report by The New York Post.


According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to slice diagonally across the island in the early hours of Tuesday. As of late Monday, Melissa’s sustained winds had reached a staggering 175 mph, with a wingspan that exceeds the entire length of Jamaica, as per a report by The New York Post.

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What destruction could the storm cause?

Forecasters have warned that Jamaica could face days of relentless, record-breaking winds and up to 3 feet of rain. A life-threatening storm surge as high as 13 feet is expected along the island’s southern coast, sparking fears of widespread flooding and devastation, as per a report by The New York Post.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a sobering warning ahead of landfall, saying, “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5.” He added, “The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge.”

Where is Hurricane Melissa headed next?

The deadly storm has already claimed at least seven lives across the Caribbean, three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. After battering Jamaica, Melissa is expected to continue its destructive path toward Cuba on Tuesday before lashing the Bahamas by Wednesday evening, as per a report by The New York Post.

FAQs

How strong is Hurricane Melissa?

Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 175 mph.

When will the hurricane hit Jamaica?

It’s expected to make landfall early Tuesday, crossing the island diagonally.