Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a powerful Category 5 storm, battering Jamaica with destructive winds, storm surge, and catastrophic flooding as conditions continue to deteriorate across the island.
At 5 a.m. EDT Monday, the hurricane was centered near latitude 16.4°N, longitude 77.8°W — about 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston — with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, moving west at 3 mph. The storm’s minimum central pressure has dropped to 917 millibars (27.08 inches), according to the National Hurricane Center.
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica and portions of Cuba, while a Hurricane Watch has been issued for the central and southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Tropical Storm Warnings are in place for Haiti and Las Tunas, Cuba.
Melissa is expected to drift northwest through Monday, bringing its eye dangerously close to Jamaica tonight before approaching southeastern Cuba by Tuesday night. Hurricane-force winds extend 30 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 195 miles.
Meteorologists warn that Jamaica could face 15 to 30 inches of rain, triggering catastrophic flooding and landslides. Eastern Cuba is forecast to receive 10 to 15 inches, while the southeastern Bahamas may see 4 to 8 inches of rain.
Life-threatening storm surge is expected along Jamaica’s southern coastline and parts of southeastern Cuba. Dangerous surf and rip currents are also impacting the region.
Authorities urge residents to heed evacuation orders and stay tuned to official weather updates as the storm moves slowly toward the northwest.
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This is crazy!!! 😭😭😭 Lord have mercy on our Islands!!!!!