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Jamaica residents told to evacuate due to “danger to life” hurricane melissa falls down Caribbean Island with speed.
Devastating Category 5 hurricane will bring “disastrous” flash flood“, “Very landslide“, a “life-threatening storm and destructive waves”, with maximum sustained wind speeds up to 160 mph, according to National Hurricane Center,
At least four people have already died, including three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. One person is missing.
the storm will pass Jamaica at its peak intensity, and loses force as soon as it crosses The water would reach Cuba, still with devastating power.
Melissa originated in West Africa, first producing a tropical wave that was picked up by monitors on October 16. It crossed the Atlantic to the Windward Islands and then slowly moved west towards the Caribbean Sea.
Its slow speed has increased its intensity, gathering strength as it crawls at 5 mph for several days, building up a formidable and record-breaking force, now expected to be at least 157 mph at the time of landfall.
The National Hurricane Center warned that Melissa was expected to drop 15 to 30 inches (38.1 cm to 76.2 cm) of rain across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with a maximum of 40 inches (101.6 cm) expected. Expected rainfall amounts between 10 inches (25.4 cm) to 15 inches (38.1 cm) in eastern Cuba.
It is expected to reach Jamaica early Tuesday and break the record for the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the island. The most powerful hurricane ever recorded was Gilbert in 1988, which recorded winds of 130 mph.
The storm, which was upgraded to Category 5 on Tuesday, was last recorded on Monday about 315 miles (505 km) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. It is reported to be 125 miles (205 km) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.
“Many of these communities will not survive this flooding,” Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie told a news conference on Monday. “Kingston is low, extremely low. No community in Kingston is exempt from flooding.”
Jamaica’s Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon said that the strength of the storm was unprecedented: “We have heard rainfall figures. These are figures we have never heard before.”
The National Hurricane Center warned that Melissa would bring “widespread infrastructure damage, long-lasting power and communications outages, and isolated communities.”
Morris Dixon said the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is ready to provide assistance to those affected, and said several international partners have already pledged support for the impending disaster.
Ivan Thompson, principal director of the Jamaica Meteorological Service, said Melissa could be the most powerful hurricane experienced by Jamaica in decades.
He warned that expected landslides, flooding and blocked roads would cause significant delays in cleanup and damage assessment.
There are approximately 900 shelters throughout Jamaica that are expected to house evacuated members of the public.
“Do not leave your safe shelter,” advice from the Miami-based NHC said.
“Destructive and life-threatening flash floods and multiple landslides are likely from today through Tuesday. Damaging winds, especially in the mountains, will begin this evening, causing widespread infrastructural damage, long-lasting power and communication outages, and isolated communities.
“Life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected to hit the southern coast through Tuesday.”
The NHC warned that the storm was expected to increase in intensity throughout the day, with it expected to strengthen further on Monday.
It said Melissa was expected to fluctuate in strength and intensity before reaching Jamaica early Tuesday.
Travelers in Jamaica have been warned not to try to leave the island until they have a confirmed flight.
Kingston Airport warned Britons: “Passengers, please contact your airline to rebook. Do not go to the airport. Hundreds of British travelers are stranded on the island due to cancellations.”