A rapidly intensifying hurricane threatens the Caribbean

A rapidly intensifying hurricane threatens the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and is moving slowly along Jamaica’s southern coast. Meteorologists warn the system could reach Category 4 strength within the next 48 hours, with sustained winds and torrential rainfall expected to cause widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages across the region.

Forecasts from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology show rainfall totals of up to 35 inches in parts of Jamaica. Early modelling suggests around 2.7 million people in Jamaica and 4 million in Haiti may be affected as the storm tracks north-east across the Caribbean.

Communities already under pressure

Days of heavy rain have left the ground saturated across Jamaica and western Haiti. With the storm now strengthening over warm coastal waters, the risk of flash flooding and landslides is extremely high.

In Jamaica, the authorities have closed Kingston Airport, with Montego Bay expected to suspend operations later today. Power disruptions are already being reported as lightning and flooding affect transmission lines. More than 800 shelters are on standby across the island, with supplies and emergency food stocks being pre-positioned by humanitarian partners.

Regional coordination underway

The regional response is being coordinated by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), working alongside the World Food Programme (WFP), IOM, UNICEF, IFRC, and PAHO. Preparedness levels are described as high, with governments and humanitarian agencies operating from national emergency coordination centres.

CDEMA’s Director, Liz Riley, has emphasised the importance of collaboration:

“Our role is to support the governments of affected states in the most effective and coordinated way possible.”

REACT’s role as a standby partner

As a standby partner to the World Food Programme, REACT Disaster Response is closely monitoring the situation and considering potential deployment options in coordination with regional partners.

Our operations and liaison teams are maintaining situational awareness and readiness to provide support if requested. REACT has previously deployed response teams to multiple Caribbean crises, providing logistics, coordination, and communications support alongside WFP and CDEMA during the early stages of emergencies.

Standing by for what comes next

With forecasts showing the storm may strengthen further before turning north toward eastern Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the situation remains dynamic. REACT Responders continue to coordinate with WFP’s regional emergency team and will adjust readiness measures as the track and impact become clearer over the next 24 hours.

REACT will provide updates as new verified information emerges. Follow our verified channels for real-time updates from our operations team.