Jamaica braces for direct hit from potentially "catastrophic" Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm, threatening Jamaica with a potential Category 5 landfall. Jamaican residents were urged to seek shelter immediately, as the island is expected to experience destructive winds and catastrophic flooding. The storm has already caused several deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic when it was a tropical storm. Forecasters predict further intensification followed by fluctuations, with the storm expected to remain a powerful hurricane. Southeastern Cuba and southern Hispaniola are also at risk of life-threatening flash floods and landslides. Rainfall of 15-30 inches is expected in Jamaica, with potential local maxima of 40 inches. The storm's intensification is linked to unusually warm sea surface temperatures amplified by climate change. Melissa is the fourth storm this year to undergo rapid intensification, tying 2025 with other years for the most such events. Residents in Jamaica are already experiencing wet and windy conditions as the storm approaches.