Emergency teams activated, shelters on standby amid Tropical Storm Melissa threat – Samuda

Jamaica’s emergency management teams are now on full alert amid the potential threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa, Water and Environment Minister Matthew Samuda told Parliament on Tuesday.

The coordination of the teams is being led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Samuda disclosed, too, that the National Response Team was scheduled to meet today “to evaluate the situation and the next steps”.

During a statement to Parliament, Samuda announced that disaster coordinators are on alert and ready to assist potentially vulnerable persons in all communities.

He said the islandwide network of 881 shelters will be made available as the need arises and that shelter managers are already on alert and preparing the designated spaces.

Melissa, the 13th named storm of the current Atlantic Hurricane Season, is churning approximately 480 kilometres south of Haiti and about 630 kilometres southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica, Samuda told Parliament.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometres per hour.

Samuda said current projections show that the storm could intensify into a Category One hurricane by Saturday, fuelled by the unusually warm waters of the Caribbean.

He said that while the forecast remains uncertain, meteorological models suggest that Jamaica could experience heavy rainfall and gusty winds and possible flash flooding later this week.

“While the centre of Melissa’s projected path currently points towards Hispaniola, the storm’s proximity to Jamaica demands our highest level of vigilance,” said Samuda.

“As we have learned through experience, tropical systems of this nature can shift course with little warning and even indirect impact can bring significant disruption to lives, livelihoods, and property.”

He urged Jamaicans, particularly those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, to pay attention to the advisories that are issued and take all necessary precautions.

Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch as Tropical Storm Melissa moves over the Caribbean Sea south of Hispaniola.

At 4:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 14.2 degrees North, longitude 73.0 degrees West. This is about 495 kilometres (305 miles) south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti or about 535 kilometres (330 miles) southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

Tropical Storm Melissa is moving west near 24 km/h (15 mph); however, a decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and then north is expected during the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h (50 mph), with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is expected over the next few days.

Melissa is projected to move near southwestern Haiti and southeastern Jamaica later this week, remaining over the Caribbean Sea for most of the period.

As the system approaches Jamaica, it is expected to bring locally moderate to heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, possibly reaching tropical storm strength, particularly across northeastern and southern parishes on Thursday and Friday. Periods of rainfall could persist into the weekend.

- Livern Barrett

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