Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a Category 1 storm, boasting sustained winds of 75 mph as of Saturday afternoon. Positioned 145 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, the storm’s sluggish movement at just 1 mph has heightened concerns across the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica, Haiti, and Belize. Meteorologists predict rapid intensification over the weekend, with Melissa potentially reaching Category 4 strength before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday. Torrential rains have already begun to batter Haiti, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness warning of potential rainfall between 15 to 25 inches. The slow-moving nature of the storm poses a unique challenge, as it is expected to linger, causing prolonged and catastrophic flooding. Evan Thompson, Director of the Meteorological Service, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, ‘There is nowhere that will escape the wrath. It’s going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods.’ In response, Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has fully activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, placing the country at Level 3—the full response phase. Air travel disruptions are already underway, with Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston set to close Saturday night, and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay reviewing operations amid numerous flight cancellations. Meanwhile, Caribbean residents, including students from the University of the West Indies, are scrambling to evacuate. Darwin McFadzean, a second-year law student and police officer, shared his struggles on social media, highlighting the financial strain faced by many students left to ‘fend for themselves’ in the face of the impending disaster.