MANCHESTER, Jamaica — As Hurricane Melissa intensifies into a Category 4 storm, local authorities in the Alligator Pond division are urging residents to evacuate to safer grounds. Councillor Omar Robinson, who oversees the area, reported that the coastal village is already experiencing rising sea levels, signaling the imminent threat of the hurricane. ‘The waves are climbing higher as I speak,’ Robinson stated during a telephone interview on Sunday. He confirmed that the Parish Disaster Manager, Keval Lewis, and local police have issued an evacuation order for the region. Robinson emphasized the urgency, noting that Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall near Alligator Pond, bringing potentially devastating impacts. The New Forest High School has been designated as a shelter, though it is nearing capacity. Robinson and his team are working to clear nearby swamps to mitigate flooding risks. He has implored residents and fisherfolk to move to higher ground, stressing the importance of safety. Many in the community are taking the storm seriously, with fisherfolk securing their boats and residents reinforcing their homes. One fisherman, in his 30s, shared that this is the first time he has prepared so thoroughly for a hurricane, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Hurricane Melissa has already claimed three lives in Haiti, where heavy rains and landslides have caused widespread destruction. As the storm continues its slow but deadly path through the Caribbean, Jamaica remains on high alert, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.