Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Threatens Region

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds up to 185 mph, the strongest to hit the island in roughly 174 years, causing roofs to be ripped off, trees toppled, catastrophic flooding and widespread power outages. Officials and reporters say floodwaters trapped families, roads and hospitals were damaged or washed away, and there are reports of at least seven fatalities with hundreds of thousands left without power. Scientists say Melissa’s rapid intensification was fueled by abnormally warm Caribbean waters; Climate Central’s rapid analysis estimated sea-surface temperatures about 1.4°C warmer due to human-caused warming. The slow-moving storm moved toward Cuba after crossing Jamaica, threatening destructive storm surge, heavy rain and wind across Cuba, the Bahamas and Haiti and complicating relief and rescue efforts. Governments opened hundreds of shelters and called for international assistance while authorities, aid groups and advocates pressed for faster emissions cuts and expanded aid as search, rescue and damage assessments begin.