A potentially devastating hurricane is rapidly strengthening as it heads toward Jamaica and Cuba, with forecasters warning that it could escalate to a Category 5 storm before reaching land either tonight or early Tuesday. The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has issued alerts for hurricane Melissa, predicting severe flooding, landslides, and storm surges in the region. To ensure safety, Jamaican authorities have advised residents to evacuate to the 900 designated shelters across the island.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Port Royal in Kingston and six other areas by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Currently, storm Melissa boasts maximum sustained winds of 140mph (220kph) and is anticipated to further intensify as it nears Jamaica.
Desmond McKenzie, the Minister of Local Government, expressed grave concerns about the potential impact, stating that many communities are at risk of devastating flooding, particularly in low-lying areas like Kingston. The closure of both international airports has been enforced in preparation for the storm’s arrival.
Tragically, the slow-moving storm has already claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with reports of casualties and missing individuals. The NHC forecasts rainfall amounts ranging from 15 to 30 inches in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with some areas potentially receiving over 40 inches of rain. Eastern Cuba is expected to experience between 10 and 15 inches of rainfall, with local amounts up to 20 inches.
Officials are warning of extensive damage to infrastructure, potential power and communication outages, and isolated communities in Jamaica. Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s Information Minister, assured that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and international partners are ready to provide support in response to the crisis.
In anticipation of the severe weather conditions, Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, emphasized the need for residents across the region to prepare for torrential rainfall, flash floods, power disruptions, and road closures. The impact of hurricane Melissa could be catastrophic, as highlighted by the expert’s statement.
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