Met Service escalates weather warnings for Jamaica

The latest bulletin, issued at 4:00 am, indicates that tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds between 63-118 km/h, are expected to affect Jamaica within 36 hours. More alarmingly, the newly issued Hurricane Watch means that hurricane-force winds of 119 km/h or higher pose a possible threat to the island within the next 48 hours.

As of early this morning, the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located approximately 353 kilometres south-southeast of Morant Point. The storm is moving slowly westward at about 6 km/h, but forecasters predict a gradual turn towards the northwest or north-northwest in the coming days.

“On the forecast track, Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to continue in the direction of Jamaica before turning towards the west on Saturday and moving over the waters south of the island,” the Meteorological Service stated.

Currently packing maximum sustained winds near 85 km/h, Melissa is forecast to see little change in strength over the next day. However, the system is projected to intensify, potentially becoming a hurricane by late Friday and through the weekend as it approaches Jamaica.

Jamaicans are urged to prepare for deteriorating conditions starting later today. Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected to begin late this afternoon and continue through Friday and the weekend.

Strong, gusty winds are also forecast to develop late today and Friday, initially affecting eastern and southern parishes before spreading across the entire island. The Meteorological Service warns that winds could reach hurricane strength over sections of eastern parishes as early as Saturday.

A critical warning has been issued for all marine interests. Widespread heavy showers, thunderstorms, and tropical-storm-force winds are expected from today through the weekend, with hurricane-force winds likely on Saturday, particularly over southern and eastern offshore waters.

“All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now be in port and are urged to complete their necessary safety precautions without delay,” the bulletin emphasized.

The Meteorological Service is continuing to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Melissa closely and will issue its next bulletin at 8:00 a.m. The public is strongly encouraged to pay special attention to further releases and can access recorded updates by dialling 116. Residents across the island are advised to finalize all storm preparations without delay.

Meanwhile, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), under Director General Richard Thompson, reports that all systems and personnel are now fully activated in response to the approaching storm.

According to Thompson, the ODPEM has been actively monitoring the storm since October 16 with parish coordinators placed on standby since the weekend, while on Tuesday of this week held its first operational planning meeting with key stakeholders including municipal corporations, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF),  Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), and NGOs such as the Jamaica Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Food For the Poor, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

Preparations, he said at a press conference yesterday, have been ongoing since the start of the hurricane season. He noted planning meetings will continue throughout the weekend to maintain a high state of national readiness and ensure the implementation of all necessary protocols to protect citizens.

The ODPEM Director General encourages all citizens to continue their personal preparations and ensure they are in a state of readiness for the potential impacts of the tropical storm over the coming weekend.