Relentless Melissa: Jamaica and Cuba Brace for Record-Breaking Fury

Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, is poised to strike Jamaica, marking the island's strongest storm in recorded history. Authorities have prepared for severe impact while focusing on immediate recovery efforts. The storm's path includes a subsequent landfall in Cuba, prompting widespread evacuations and warnings throughout the Caribbean.

As Hurricane Melissa barrels towards Jamaica, the island braces for a blow from a Category 5 storm—an unprecedented meteorological event since records began 174 years ago. The Jamaican government has pushed all emergency measures to the limit in anticipation of the catastrophic event, seeking to lessen the storm's severe impact on the populace.

In a desolate Kingston, streets remain mostly empty with few pedestrians cautiously navigating the windswept landscapes. Prime Minister Andrew Holness spoke on the dire infrastructure challenges, post-storm recovery, and potential loss, emphasizing the urgency and scale of the upcoming recovery efforts once Melissa makes its expected landfall.

The hurricane is charted to proceed to eastern Cuba after battering Jamaica, forcing mass evacuations that exceed 600,000 residents. Authorities in both nations expect severe infrastructural damage, accentuated by forecasts of heavy rains and monumental storm surges. Non-profits and UN agencies have prepped essential supplies for immediate assistance as Caribbean communities face an unprecedented natural challenge.

(With inputs from agencies.)