Why This Hurricane Could Be Jamaica’s Worst in a Generation

WooGlobe

Jamaica is bracing for what could become a catastrophic multi-day hurricane assault as Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensifies over record-breaking Caribbean heat. Already brushing parts of Jamaica and Haiti, Melissa is expected to explode into a Category 4 storm or stronger by Sunday — bringing devastating winds, torrential rain, and life-threatening floods.  With the storm moving slower than walking speed, rainfall could pile up for days, triggering massive landslides, widespread power outages, and severe infrastructure damage. Public hospitals are already in emergency mode, and airports may shut down within 24 hours.  This video breaks down what makes Melissa so dangerous, why its slow movement is so alarming, and what Jamaica and the surrounding islands could face in the days ahead. WooGlobe Ref : WGA731701 For licensing and to use this video, please email licensing@wooglobe.com

Transcript

00:00Jamaica is staring down a nightmare.

00:02A monster hurricane is forming fast, and it's heading straight for the island.

00:06Hurricane Melissa is intensifying over some of the hottest waters on Earth.

00:10Right now, it's just offshore but growing stronger by the hour.

00:13Its outer bands are already lashing Jamaica and western Haiti.

00:17Officials have issued hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings.

00:21Residents are bracing for power outages, landslides, floods, and deadly waves.

00:25Melissa is crawling forward, slower than a walking pace.

00:30And that's a massive problem.

00:31Because when storms move slowly, rainfall stacks up for days over the same areas.

00:37That's what made Hurricane Harvey and Dorian so destructive.

00:41Now, Jamaica could face the same fate.

00:44Hospitals are in emergency mode.

00:46Airports may shut down soon.

00:48And up to 14 inches of rain could fall, maybe more.

00:51Melissa could explode into a Category 4 hurricane by Sunday,

00:55all fueled by record-hot Caribbean waters that run deep.

00:58The island's steep mountains will intensify the flooding,

01:01like squeezing water from a sponge.

01:03And the U.S. East Coast may still feel the impact with rough surf and rip currents.

01:08Jamaica may become ground zero for the most destructive storm of the season.

01:12The next 72 hours will be critical and potentially catastrophic.

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