Hurricane Chaser's Melissa Video Is Horrifying, Heartstopping, Sad And A Must-Watch

A still from Josh Morgerman's video of Category 5 
Hurricane Melissa violently dismantling 
western Jamaica. 

Josh Morgerman, known all over social media as icyclone, has chased down dozens of powerful hurricanes and typhoons worldwide. 

He willingly endures extreme winds and rains, interrupted only by the sudden calm of hurricane eyes. 

Of course Morgerman was in Jamaica for Hurricane Melissa. He said it might have been the most intense hurricane he's ever experienced. 

Morgerman just released his YouTube video of his experiences. It's a long one, lasting an hour and 54 minutes. But it's a must-watch for anyone who wants a glimpse of what a Category 5 hurricane is like. It's nerve-wracking, terrifying, tragic and heartbreaking. 

The video starts with Morgerman stressing out over getting to the right spot that is both safe and in a spot where the worst intensity of Melissa would hit. 

But soon, we get into the storm. Morgerman rode out the storm in solidly built concrete hotel building along the southwest coast of Jamaica. We spend a gusty. r ainy, night in his hotel room the night before Melissa hits. You could hear the howling start in the video by 2 a.m. 

And hit it does in this video. 

The storm ramps up awfully quickly. At 7:56 a.m. he said. "this is going to be a mighty blow."' By 8:15 a.m. there were already full blown tropical storm conditions - the palm tree in front of the hotel already bouncing around in the gales. The air pressure was beginning to fall so fast he could feel it in his years. 

By 9:30 a.m. all hell was breaking out.. By 10:15 debris was flying. At 10:45 a.m. with the hurricane peaking the howling wind and the falling pressure were hurting the ears of the people huddling in the building.

It's just a video, but I found myself getting scared watching it. After the storm, Morgerman interviewed survivors. Some of the stories left me wondering how they were still alive after the storm passed. 

Scenes of obliterated buildings and skeletons of large trees looks very much like the aftermath videos I've seen of especially intense Midwestern tornadoes. 

The video is so much worth watching. Especially since monster Category 5 hurricanes have become more common, and are expected to become even more common. Climate change is making the world more scary, and here's an example. 

I appreciate Morgerman's efforts to let us see for ourselves the power and terror of these hurricanes.  While you're at it, check out the rest of his YouTube channel for other incredible hurricane and typhoon footage. He's also got a web site and he's all over social media.    

Here is Morgerman's video. Click on this link to view, or if you see this image below click on that.