Melissa has reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and has become a major hurricane. This was announced on Monday, October 27, by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Jamaica is particularly threatened, and damage may also occur in the South and Grand’Anse regions. “Melissa has strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 260 km/h and a central pressure of 917 mb, confirmed by the U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters. Conditions in Jamaica will rapidly deteriorate later today and tonight,” warned the NHC on X.

Speaking on Magik 9 on Monday morning, the Director General of Civil Protection, Emmanuel Pierre, called on the population to remain vigilant during the passage of this major hurricane. “According to its confirmed trajectory, Melissa is approaching Jamaica, about 400 km south of Haiti. But its area of influence is wide. That is why we are maintaining the red alert level for the South and Grand’Anse,” stated Emmanuel Pierre.