Hurricane Melissa Unleashes Fury on Jamaica: A Storm of the Century

Hurricane Melissa is poised to wreak unprecedented havoc on Jamaica, marking the island's most severe storm in a century, according to a U.N. weather official. The Category 5 storm is expected to hit with winds exceeding 300 km/h, accompanied by storm surges and flash floods, prompting mass evacuations.

"It's a catastrophic situation," declared Anne-Claire Fontan from the World Meteorological Organization. With expected rainfall over 70 cm, authorities are bracing for destructive flash floods and landslides. The storm, intensified by tepid Caribbean waters, threatens millions, with relief agencies on high alert.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered evacuations in southern Jamaica, preparing for impacts on farmlands and infrastructure. Scientists attribute the intensifying storms to climate change, warning of devastating consequences. Neighboring countries, including Cuba and the Bahamas, are also preparing for the storm's impact.