Category 5 Hurricane Melissa south of Jamaica; Cayman likely spared the worst

Rough seas, scattered showers and breezy conditions are expected on Monday as Hurricane Melissa edges in the direction of the Cayman Islands.

After rapidly intensifying from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in 18 hours on Saturday, Melissa become a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 160mph on Monday morning.

While the storm is expected to turn northwards Monday and then northeastward – making landfall along the south coast of Jamaica Tuesday morning – its effects will still be felt in the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service updated the small craft alert to a marine warning on Monday morning as rough seas of greater than 10 feet are forecast across the Cayman area throughout the day.

Remain cautious

Residents were encouraged to remain cautious and prepared, as the National Weather Service continued to monitor potential shifts in the projected path which could impact Cayman more severely.

Swells from Hurricane Melissa started to come ashore in West Bay and the north coast of Grand Cayman over the weekend and are expected to continue to build.

Officials said in a briefing on Saturday afternoon that the risk posed by Hurricane Melissa to the Cayman Islands had fallen, but they were concerned about the rapid intensification of the storm.

Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday afternoon, Kerry Powery, acting director general for Cayman’s weather service, said that while the risk to the Cayman Islands had been alleviated, “we don’t want to let our guard down … we are still mindful that changes can happen”.

Ready to help

Government reiterated that it stood ready to support any regional relief and recovery efforts that may be required.

Jamaica remains in the path of the storm and is expected to suffer widespread damage. Hazard Management Cayman Islands said that it was closely coordinating with regional partners and relief organisations to ensure an effective framework for assistance, should it be requested. 

All civil service departments and schools are to open as usual on Monday morning and parents and caregivers were asked to ensure that students were prepared for wet conditions.