An UNDAC Team deployed to Jamaica, led by Rogerio Mobilia Silva from OCHA Regional Office in Panama. email: jamaica2025@gmail.com Hurricane MELISSA made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane very close to Black River city in St. Elizabeth Parish, southwestern Jamaica, in the evening of 28 October (UTC) For latest reports and updates, please consult the dedicated page on Reliefweb.int here
FORECAST: Hurricane Melissa has strengthened further, now a Category 5 system with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), gusts above 190 mph (305 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 906 mb —conditions that signal the potential for catastrophic rainfall and flooding. As of 2:00 p.m. EST, the eye was located about 230 km southwest of Kingston and 525 km southwest of Guantánamo, moving slowly west-northwest at 3 mph (6 km/h). Forecasts indicate that Melissa will continue moving west-northwest before turning north on 27 October and accelerating northeast on 28 October, placing Jamaica and eastern Cuba directly in the path of an extremely powerful hurricane. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 315 km from the centre, with surge heights forecast at 9–13 ft (2.7–4 m) along Jamaica’s south coast and 7–11 ft (2–3.3 m) along Cuba’s southeastern shoreline, accompanied by large and destructive waves. Rainfall totals of 15–30 inches (380–760 mm) are expected across Jamaica, with local peaks up to 40 inches (1,000 mm), and 15–20 inches (380–500 mm) across eastern Cuba, triggering life-threatening flash floods and landslides. Dangerous surf and rip currents are affecting Hispaniola, Jamaica and eastern Cuba. For the extended forecast and across multiple countries, an estimated 6.74 Million people, 2.45 Million households, and $137 Billion (USD) of infrastructure* are potentially exposed to moderate to severe damaging winds (with damage expected closer to the shores). All shorelines in the path of the storm are exposed to potential storm surge, and inland areas within the proximity of the storm are exposed to potential flooding. (Source: PDC Hurricane Melissa ADV28 UPDATE) Melissa, the first Category 5 hurricane on record to directly strike Jamaica, is expected to cross the island between late 27 October and early 28 October, bringing catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge along the south coast and widespread flooding. Approaching from the south, a rare trajectory for major storms, Melissa is already generating life threatening conditions. IMPACT • At least three deaths have been reported due to flooding and wind-related incidents, with rainfall totals expected to trigger numerous landslides and flash floods in mountainous areas. All 14 parishes are under Hurricane Warning. • The National Emergency Operations Centre reports 881 emergency shelters activated, with 218 housing evacuees as of 26 October, and thousands more moving to shelters as evacuations continue in low-lying southern parishes. • Interior parishes are at risk of major road and bridge damage from landslides. Power and telecommunications failures are expected to be widespread, with road conditions likely to deteriorate as well. Both Norman Manley and Sangster International airports are closed. • Widespread power cuts reported impacting 200'000 people (Reuters) | 
