Tracking the Journey of the Tropical Storm Melissa
In the Caribbean Sea, a tropical storm named Melissa is causing quite a stir. The storm is moving slowly and poses a dangerous threat of landslides and severe flooding to Jamaica and the southern part of Hispaniola. Hispaniola is an island that the Dominican Republic and Haiti both share. People living in areas prone to flooding are being asked to move to safer spots.
Unfortunately, the storm has already taken a life in Marigot, a coastal town in southern Haiti, after a large tree fell on an elderly man. Additionally, five other individuals suffered injuries due to flooding in the central Artibonite area.
Location and Strength of the Storm
The storm was situated approximately 185 miles south-southeast of Kingston in Jamaica and about 295 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince in Haiti. With a strength of 45 mph winds, the storm was moving in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 2 mph. Jamaica and the southwestern peninsula of Haiti were both put under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning.
Despite its slow movement, the storm has raised significant concerns. There are fears about potential wind damage, storm surges, heavy rainfall, and flooding over multiple days.
The Future of the Storm: A Cause for Concern
While it's expected that Melissa will stay over open waters this week, it's also predicted to move closer to Jamaica and southwestern Haiti in the coming days. The storm is forecasted to gain strength, potentially becoming a hurricane by the weekend, and possibly attaining Category 4 status by next week. The warm waters and the slow movement of the storm make it a potentially destructive force.
Residents of Jamaica are preparing with necessary measures. One resident of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, mentioned her worries and shared that she has already prepared her home and stocked up on food and water.
Preparation in Jamaica
In Jamaica, officials are taking precautions by making 881 shelters available as needed. Courts have been ordered to shut down, and schools are being directed to switch to remote teaching. Additionally, 1,000 sandbags are being placed in the eastern part of Kingston to prevent flooding from a nearby gully.
Authorities are also preparing for possible power outages and have brought in extra workers to aid in the aftermath of the storm. The eastern region of Jamaica could see up to 14 inches of rain, which could lead to landslides and flooding, especially since the ground is already saturated from recent heavy rains.
Health centers are being shut down in the afternoon, and there are concerns that the storm could disrupt supply chains, including those for life-saving medication. All hospitals are on high alert and have generators that can provide power for up to 72 hours.
Impact on Hispaniola
In the Dominican Republic, over 100 people are already in shelters while businesses, schools, and government agencies are closed in the nine provinces under alert. The storm has already caused minor landslides, knocked down trees, and affected traffic lights.
In the southern parts of both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, they are expecting up to 14 inches of rain, which could increase by the end of the week. Experts have warned about the possibility of significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides.
The Worries in Haiti
Concerns are also high about the potential impact on Haiti, a country that's been ravaged by storms in the past. The country's problems, including gang violence, poverty, and weak governance, mean that storm preparations are limited. Hence, there are fears about the storm's potential impact on the country.
A significant concern is the potential for flooding since Haiti recently reported 139 suspected cholera cases and five deaths in just one week. This outbreak is happening amidst the severe deterioration of basic services in the capital, with only 11% of health facilities with inpatient capacity remaining fully operational.
The Ongoing Hurricane Season
Named as the 13th storm of the current Atlantic hurricane season, Melissa is the first named storm to form in the Caribbean this year. The season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, was predicted to be above-normal, with 13 to 18 named storms. Of those, five to nine were forecasted to become hurricanes, including two to five major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or more.