Washington, Oct 28 (NationPress) Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever documented, has made its presence felt in Jamaica as of Tuesday, unleashing devastating winds, torrential rains, and a colossal storm. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued warnings indicating that the storm could have catastrophic effects on the island nation.

“With storm surges reaching up to 13 feet and rainfall amounts soaring to 40 inches, we are anticipating severe flash flooding and landslides,” stated Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone expert from the WMO.

“For Jamaica, this storm is undoubtedly the storm of the century,” she conveyed to reporters in Geneva.

Packing sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour), Melissa has attained the status of a Category 5 hurricane. The WMO reports that it is the strongest storm to impact Jamaica in over a century.

The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has warned that the storm could potentially affect up to 1.5 million individuals, which is over half of Jamaica's population. Emergency shelters are already filled to capacity, and arrangements for food, clean water, and medical supplies are being made across the island.

“This is an impending disaster,” said Philippe Guinand, IFRC regional director. “Melissa’s intensity and slow progression suggest that the damage will be considerable and enduring, with recovery possibly taking years.”

Officials in Jamaica reported that various parts of the island are already facing significant power outages and communication failures even before the storm made landfall. Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s Minister for Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, mentioned that the national power grid, managed by Jamaica Public Service (JPS), “has already been affected by hurricane conditions, resulting in multiple power outages across the island.”

Evan Thompson, the Principal Director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, cautioned residents to prepare for “flooding, landslides, storm surges, and those intense winds.” He urged the public to stay indoors and avoid coastal areas.

Melissa has already claimed seven lives in the surrounding region, with three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. All three nations have declared states of emergency.

“This will transform Jamaica for years to come,” Fontan remarked. “We are witnessing an undeniably catastrophic event.”