Millions in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are bracing for massive impact from Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday as the UN and partners warn of a “severe” and “immediate” threat.
Briefing reporters hours before Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica, a representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that the category 5 system “will be the strongest on the planet this year” putting a million people at direct risk, “including families which are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl” which hit the island nation only 16 months ago.
“Roofs will be tested. Flood water will rise. Isolation will become a harsh reality for many,” said Necephor Mghendi, the IFRC’s Head of Delegation for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.
