Kingston: Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica on Monday as a Category 5 storm, bringing catastrophic winds, flooding, and destruction across the island. Meteorologists confirmed that Melissa is the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in Jamaica, with sustained winds reaching up to 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour).

The hurricane made landfall near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Entire neighborhoods were flooded, power lines were torn down, and many homes lost their roofs. The country’s infrastructure, including hospitals and major roads, has been severely affected.

According to early estimates, Jamaica could face economic losses of around 22 billion US dollars. At least three deaths have been reported so far, while several people remain missing. The government has declared a national emergency, and rescue operations are ongoing despite difficult conditions.

Meteorologists warned that the storm continues to pose a serious threat as it moves toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas, still maintaining major hurricane strength. Torrential rains and storm surges up to 13 feet (around four meters) have been recorded along the southern coast, raising fears of further flooding and landslides.

Scientists have noted that Hurricane Melissa intensified unusually fast, a phenomenon linked to rising ocean temperatures. Climate experts say warmer sea surfaces and deeper layers of warm water are contributing to the increased power and frequency of such extreme storms.

The World Meteorological Organization described Melissa as Jamaica’s worst storm of the century. International aid agencies and neighboring countries have pledged support for relief and recovery efforts, as Jamaica begins the difficult process of rebuilding in the aftermath of this historic disaster.