"I feel compelled to make people realize that this is not going away, that this is going to continue to happen over and over again, and that we need to harden ourselves in every possible way and adapt to these increasing disasters." —part of yesterday's #Melissa coverage on @nbcmiami.com

Melissa, now with sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/hr) and capable of gusts to 260+ mph (425+ km/hr) on windward hilltops, 40" (1000 mm) of rain, and a 13 ft (4 m) storm surge, has started the feared turn to the northwest. First NW then north is the forecast. #Jamaica #HurricaneAlert

"Extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and isolation of communities are expected." — expected impacts from #Melissa in #Jamaica according to NHC, which adds, "Seek shelter now." At 5pm Sunday, the #hurricane is Cat 4, winds 145 mph.

Category 4 🚨
Major Hurricane Melissa
5:00 AM EDT Sun Oct 26
Location: 16.3°N 76.3°W
Moving: W at 5 mph
Min pressure: 944 mb
Max sustained: 140 mph

(image via @tropicaltidbits.bsky.social)

"Needless to say there is a very serious situation in terms of catastrophic rainfall wind and storm surge hazards for Jamaica and preparations should be rushed to completion in the area"

NHC explicitly calling for #Melissa to be a Cat 5 #hurricane on approach to #Jamaica (img @bmcnoldy.bsky.social)

I'm awaiting the official declaration that Melissa is a hurricane. The satellite image shows an initial slow trend for a west motion. But clouds still extend across most of Hispaniola with rain (under the brightest clouds) still near the Dominican Republic. Over 20" of rain has fallen. #Melissa

Melissa suddenly has acquired that look. No sooner did the hostile wind shear relax than the first rapid intensification cycle began. I fully expect +35 mph or more in 24 hours going back to 11 am. Water temperatures are top 3 hottest ever recorded. Yet another Cat 4-5 forming. #Melissa

Tropical Wave Invest #98L reached Windward Islands Sunday. A tropical depression is likely by midweek. Half of the forecast models continue west into western Caribbean. The other half forecast a tropical storm or hurricane in Hispaniola no earlier than Wednesday, or well after. Uncertainty very high