Jamaica is preparing for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to bring unprecedented devastation to the island. Evan Thompson, principal director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), issued a stark warning during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday. He emphasized that Melissa, currently a tropical storm, will rapidly intensify and could strike Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 130 to 156 miles per hour—a force the island has not encountered in decades. The storm is projected to traverse the eastern and southern regions of Jamaica before moving northward, making landfall by Tuesday morning. Thompson highlighted that the slow-moving nature of Melissa could prolong its impact, with heavy rainfall of 20 to 30 inches expected to cause life-threatening flooding. Additionally, storm surges could devastate coastal communities, reminiscent of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Authorities are urging residents, particularly those in vulnerable areas like St Thomas, Portland, Kingston, and St Andrew, to take immediate precautions. The aftermath of the hurricane is anticipated to disrupt recovery efforts due to blocked roads, landslides, and lingering floodwaters. Thompson described the situation as extraordinary, stressing that Jamaica must brace for a prolonged and severe weather event.