Source: TOI
Context: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s strongest-ever storm and a Category 5 hurricane, has battered the island with winds up to 185 mph (295 km/h) before turning toward Cuba’s Santiago province.
About Hurricane Melissa:
- What it is?
- Hurricane Melissa is a powerful tropical cyclone that formed over the Caribbean Sea and became the strongest hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica’s history, surpassing previous major storms like Hurricane Gilbert (1988).
- Origin:
- It originated as a tropical depression over the eastern Caribbean, gradually strengthening due to unusually warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions, evolving into a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
- Formation Process:
- Trigger: Low-pressure disturbance developed over the central Caribbean Sea.
- Intensification: Warm sea surface temperatures and high humidity fueled rapid intensification.
- Trajectory: Moved westward across Jamaica, then curved northeast toward Cuba and the Bahamas.
- Impact: Winds up to 185 mph, extensive flooding, agricultural loss, infrastructure damage, and displacement of over 1.5 million people in Jamaica.
About the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:
- What it is?
- The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) is a 1–5 rating system used to classify hurricanes based on their maximum sustained wind speeds. It estimates potential property damage and impact severity, though it does not account for rainfall or storm surge.
- Categories and Features:
- Category 1 (74–95 mph): Causes minor roof and tree damage; localized power outages for a few days.
- Category 2 (96–110 mph): Major roof and siding damage; widespread power failures lasting several days to weeks.
- Category 3 (111–129 mph) – Major Hurricane: Devastating structural damage; electricity and water unavailable for days to weeks.
- Category 4 (130–156 mph) – Major Hurricane: Catastrophic damage with severe structural failures; areas uninhabitable for weeks.
- Category 5 (≥157 mph) – Major Hurricane: Near-total destruction of homes; long-term power and water outages; mass displacement.
