Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on Verge of Landfall in Jamaica
Andrea Powell
Jamaica is bracing for the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island.
Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 175 mph, stronger than the devastating Hurricane Katrina. It is expected to make landfall on Tuesday and bring catastrophic flooding, damage, and landslides as it slowly moves across the island.
Jamaica has only experienced three direct hits since record keeping began in 1951, with Hurricane Melissa being the largest one yet.
People are boarding up their homes and businesses and bracing for the worst storm in Jamaica's history. Only Paws Cat Rescue in Kingston urges residents to not forget about their pets and the street cats.
They posted, "Most people think cats will find shelter but the truth is many street cats and kittens will lose their lives during a hurricane." They asked people to do small acts of kindness like leave out cat food and water days leading up to the hurricane, provide safe shelter for community cats, put out food after the hurricane, and report injured or stuck cats.
They told people to bring their pets inside and keep them contained with enough food and water for several days. The rescue also handed out free cat food to families and caretakers days before the storm.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued evacuation orders and said, "I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously."
National Hurricane Center warned, "get to the sturdiest building you can find" as winds are over 175 mph, which can easily destroy buildings. Storm surge is also expected to be up to 13 feet along the coast where Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.
Other Caribbean islands like Cuba and Haiti are also in the predicted path of Hurricane Melissa and are evacuating and bracing for the "catastrophic" storm.
Officials are estimating that hundreds of thousands of people will be displaced. Greater Good Charities has teams ready to respond and is already reaching out to partners on the ground to assist where needed. Donate now to help the people and pets in the path of Hurricane Melissa.
