Hurricane Melissa Brings Catastrophic Flash Flooding and Landslides Threats to Caribbean Islands
A powerful storm system is hurtling towards the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Hurricane Melissa has been designated as a major threat to several islands, with the National Hurricane Center warning of catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides.
The US Geological Survey estimates that an average of 25-50 people die each year due to landslides in the United States, while globally, thousands are affected by these natural disasters. Landslides can travel at speeds of up to tens of miles per hour, causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Professor Brian Tang, a leading expert on atmospheric science, notes that Hurricane Melissa's slow movement over mountainous terrain, combined with heavy rainfall amounts of up to 40 inches in some areas, has created a "worrisome" landslide risk. According to Tang, the heavy downpour can cause erosion, exacerbate slope weaknesses, and trigger landslides.
Landslides are a major concern for several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico. The Blue Mountains in eastern Jamaica could be particularly prone to landslides due to steep hill slopes, while areas that have been clear-cut for agriculture may also be susceptible.
According to expert Karl Lang, an assistant professor of geology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, regions with steep hills and heavy rainfall are more likely to experience landslides. He notes that roads built on these slopes can become conduits for landslides, which can block traffic and cause significant disruptions.
As Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in the Caribbean, officials are urging residents to take precautions against flash flooding and landslides. With millions of people affected by this powerful storm system, it's essential that everyone takes necessary safety measures to minimize the risk of injury or loss of life.
A powerful storm system is hurtling towards the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Hurricane Melissa has been designated as a major threat to several islands, with the National Hurricane Center warning of catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides.
The US Geological Survey estimates that an average of 25-50 people die each year due to landslides in the United States, while globally, thousands are affected by these natural disasters. Landslides can travel at speeds of up to tens of miles per hour, causing widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.
Professor Brian Tang, a leading expert on atmospheric science, notes that Hurricane Melissa's slow movement over mountainous terrain, combined with heavy rainfall amounts of up to 40 inches in some areas, has created a "worrisome" landslide risk. According to Tang, the heavy downpour can cause erosion, exacerbate slope weaknesses, and trigger landslides.
Landslides are a major concern for several Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico. The Blue Mountains in eastern Jamaica could be particularly prone to landslides due to steep hill slopes, while areas that have been clear-cut for agriculture may also be susceptible.
According to expert Karl Lang, an assistant professor of geology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, regions with steep hills and heavy rainfall are more likely to experience landslides. He notes that roads built on these slopes can become conduits for landslides, which can block traffic and cause significant disruptions.
As Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in the Caribbean, officials are urging residents to take precautions against flash flooding and landslides. With millions of people affected by this powerful storm system, it's essential that everyone takes necessary safety measures to minimize the risk of injury or loss of life.
... landslides are already happening on some islands and its only a matter of time before we see more 
... 40 inches of rain in some areas? that's wild 
... think about all the ppl who can't even prepare for it, living on these slopes with no warning system 
... and btw, didnt they already have problems with flash flooding last year? 
seems like this hurricane is just gonna add to the chaos 
they need to stay safe & take precautions 
it's crazy how fast they can move & cause destruction 
we gotta keep an eye on Hurricane Melissa & its victims 
... I know this sounds super scary, but think about all the amazing work our emergency teams are gonna do to help these islands 
! We're talking helicopters, rescue boats, and tons of resources being sent their way 
. And, on a silver lining, this is like a wake-up call for everyone to get involved in disaster prep and sustainability initiatives 
! We can learn so much from the Caribbean about living with nature's power and taking care of our beautiful planet 
. Plus, it's giving us all a chance to support each other and show some love to those affected 
. So let's focus on spreading positivity and helping hands instead of just doom and gloom 
!
. Need to keep an eye on those islands for sure 
... hope everyone is prepared and safe 
.
The sheer magnitude of the impending disaster is nothing short of alarming - catastrophic flash flooding and landslides threatening the very fabric of Caribbean communities 
. I just hope the authorities can help people prepare and stay safe 
. I don't wanna think about all those people dying or getting hurt because of landslides... it's just too much 
especially with heavy rain pouring down 
. I'm sending all my positive vibes 
️ and doesn't get caught off guard 
because landslides can block traffic and cause huge disruptions 
I mean, seriously though, 25-50 people dying from landslides each year is some bad math... isn't that like a whole town or something? 
Anyway, hope the Caribbean islands are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at 'em, 'cause it's about to get real 
. It's just a tragedy when lives are lost due to something so preventable... 
? That's like, 1-2 per month 
! And landslides are a major concern too... according to NASA, between 2000 and 2019, there were over 450 reported landslide events worldwide 
, causing massive damage to homes and infrastructure 
.
. Have you ever heard of any of those islands? They seem so beautiful 
. Like, every time there's a hurricane or flood, we're supposed to freak out and stockpile canned goods for months? Can't people just prepare for a few days instead of being paranoid about it for the rest of their lives? And what's with the constant fear-mongering from experts like Tang and Lang? "Worrisome" landslide risk? Come on, can't they just say "landslide might happen"? 
i wish we could do more to help & prevent these disasters 
It's not just the ppl living in these islands that need to be worried, either - I'm sure emergency responders and rescue teams are gonna be put through the wringer trying to reach those in need 
. And the fact that it's been estimated that like 25-50 people die each year from landslides? That's just devastating