Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica’s Strongest-Ever Storm

Syllabus: Geography and Disaster Management (UPSC Prelims)
Source: The Times Of India

Context

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane and the strongest storm in Jamaica’s history, struck the island with wind speeds reaching 185 mph (295 km/h) before moving toward Cuba’s Santiago province.

About Hurricane Melissa

What It Is:
Hurricane Melissa is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone that formed over the Caribbean Sea, surpassing historic storms like Hurricane Gilbert (1988) in intensity and impact.

Origin and Development

• Formation: Began as a tropical depression over the eastern Caribbean.
• Intensification: Rapidly strengthened due to warm ocean temperatures, high humidity, and low wind shear.
• Trajectory: Moved westward across Jamaica, then turned northeast toward Cuba and the Bahamas.
• Impact:
  • Winds up to 185 mph, causing catastrophic damage.
  • Widespread flooding and destruction of homes, roads, and farms.
  • Over 1.5 million people displaced in Jamaica.

About the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS)

Definition:
A five-category scale used to classify hurricanes based on maximum sustained wind speeds, indicating potential damage. It does not include rainfall or storm surge impacts.

Categories:

• Category 1 (74–95 mph): Minor roof/tree damage, short power outages.
• Category 2 (96–110 mph): Major roof damage, power loss for days to weeks.
• Category 3 (111–129 mph): Devastating damage; long-term power and water disruption.
• Category 4 (130–156 mph): Catastrophic structural failure; uninhabitable for weeks.
• Category 5 (≥157 mph): Total destruction; prolonged displacement and severe economic loss.

Significance

• Highlights the intensification of tropical cyclones due to climate change and ocean warming.
• Underscores the need for early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and regional disaster preparedness in the Caribbean.