Are governments and communities doing enough to prepare for extreme hurricanes like Melissa?
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica as Caribbean Braces for Historic Storm
Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 5 storm, is battering Jamaica with sustained winds of up to 175 mph and life-threatening storm surges. The storm is one of the strongest in the Atlantic this year and poses catastrophic risks across the Caribbean. Jamaica is under full emergency alert, with warnings that no existing infrastructure may withstand the storm’s force in some regions. The hurricane’s slow movement increases the potential for prolonged damage from flooding, landslides, and wind. Other islands, including Cuba and Haiti, are also bracing for impact. The storm has reignited urgent discussions about climate change, disaster preparedness, and whether Caribbean nations have the infrastructure and funding to protect residents from increasingly extreme weather. Travel disruptions, evacuations, and emergency shelter efforts are already underway.
Options
- Yes, the response has been strong
- No, unprepared and underfunded
- Somewhat, but more needed
- Not sure