The impact of Melissa on Jamaica. Photo credit: msn.com
The Jamaican government has designated the nation as a
disaster area. Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island nation the day
before, was the cause. "Melissa" is considered to be the highest,
fifth category of power on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds surpassing 250
km/h.
The hurricane caused extensive damage and floods. The Jamaican Ministry of Health reports that hundreds of buildings were destroyed and three persons were killed. Roughly 1,700 people were evacuated from the impacted areas when evacuations started on Monday.
Many residents refused to
leave their homes, according to local authorities, despite the impact affecting electricity throughout the country.
Experts have cautioned that floods may force crocodiles into
residential areas; therefore, a new attack is anticipated following the natural
disaster in Jamaica.
Melissa has the potential to eclipse Hurricane
Katrina, which hit the US in 2005 and killed over 1,300 people, as the most
catastrophic disaster in history.
The hurricane is still moving through the Caribbean, moving northeast from Jamaica toward Cuba despite its slight weakening. On the Island of Paradise, emergency responses have been mandated.