Satellite imagery has captured the powerful structure of Hurricane Melissa, showcasing distinct “mesovortices” around the storm’s eye. This phenomenon was observed on October 28, 2023, as the hurricane caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean. Data from the GOES-19 satellite, analyzed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), indicates that these mesovortices are small-scale rotational features that develop in conditions of varying wind speed and direction.
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, the highest classification, with maximum sustained winds reaching 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). The storm’s intensity has led emergency officials to label it as one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. According to local authorities, at least four fatalities have been reported in southwest Jamaica, although Desmond McKenzie, deputy chair of Jamaica’s disaster risk management council, has not confirmed the total number of deaths.
As of October 30, approximately 72% of Jamaica was without power, and 65% of mobile phone sites were offline due to the storm’s impacts. In neighboring Haiti, reports indicate that at least 25 people have died, with an additional 18 individuals reported missing following severe flooding.
Cuba experienced Melissa as a Category 3 storm on October 29, but no fatalities have been reported there. Many communities remain without electricity, internet, and telephone services, primarily due to downed transformers and power lines.
As of Thursday morning, October 30, Hurricane Melissa had weakened to a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds nearing 105 miles per hour (169 kilometers per hour). The storm was located approximately 515 miles (830 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda, which is currently under a hurricane warning.
The intensity of Hurricane Melissa highlights the increasing severity of extreme weather events, a trend linked to human-driven climate change. As communities in the Caribbean grapple with the aftermath of this hurricane, the focus remains on recovery efforts and assessing the full extent of the damage.
