Featured Image Credit: STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: World News, Weather, News
Rhianna Benson
Residents of Jamaica have been warned to brace themselves for the strongest storm planet Earth has seen this year.
The Caribbean country found itself at the eye of Hurricane Melissa early this morning (28 October), which had intensified from the evening prior after first being considered a Category 5 storm.
Originating in nearby tourist hotspots, the extreme weather - made up of wind speeds of up to 175mph (282km/h) - has already resulted in the deaths of four individuals across both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
But with meteorologists convinced that Jamaica will bear the brunt of the storm - given that a further three people have also lost their lives here in the last few hours - a warning over the 'catastrophic and life-threatening' conditions that citizens will be forced to navigate has been made.
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In a social media post uploaded on Monday (27 October), top meteorologist Dylan Federico urged residents to take shelter immediately.
"Things are looking grave for Jamaica tonight. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it is," he penned. "Melissa is strengthening again.
"A new ring of storms have exploded around the eye… I wouldn't be surprised if Melissa's pressure falls below 900mb before striking Jamaica tomorrow."
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These concerns come as the storm is expected to crash through Jamaica at an unnervingly slow pace, resulting in prolonged torrential rain in some areas.
This, in itself, sky-rockets the risk of flooding and landslides.
Emphasising the strength of the storm, Federico went on to predict that it might challenge the infamous 1935 Labor Day Hurricane - one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, which caused between 408 and 500 deaths in the Florida Keys.
"This is a horrible development for Jamaica because it means Melissa will likely be at its peak strength when it makes landfall," the weather expert went on to write. "The core of destructive winds will cause complete structural failure to even the strongest of buildings."
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Federico also predicted elongated blackouts, nationwide collapses in communication and the cutting off of entire communities, adding: "Winds in the mountains will exceed 200 mph. Trees will be completely deforested and debarked.
"Infrastructure exposed to the winds will be completely destroyed."
He continued: "Heavy flooding rain and mudslides will wash away roads, isolating communities for long periods of time. On the coast, life-threatening storm surges will cause additional destruction."
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Meanwhile, meteorologist Jordan Smith warned on X: "Absolutely speechless! This satellite image of Hurricane #Melissa needs put in meteorology text books!
"Please everyone send all your prayers and thoughts to the island of Jamaica. Catastrophic impacts are expected on so many levels.
"#Jamaica will be unrecognizable after this."
Following the expert warning, the country's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, told his citizens: "I have been on my knees in prayer."
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After devastating Jamaica, the hurricane is expected to venture ashore in Cuba later on Tuesday, before heading in the direction of the Bahamas.