Hurricane Melissa intensifies as it bears down on Cuba after Jamaica was struck by flooding that submerged portions of the island nation. The storm swept through Jamaica as the most intense hurricane to hit the Caribbean nation in recent history, then regained strength over warm ocean waters. Melissa is a Category 4 hurricane with 130-mile-per-hour winds and is forecast to crush into Cuba in hours.
Three individuals passed away in Jamaica prior to Melissa’s landfall, although officials from the government state it is too early to determine the total death count. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie explained that St. Elizabeth Parish on Jamaica’s south coast is entirely submerged. The Black River Hospital experienced a loss of power and 75 patients were transferred to safer areas. Nearly 15,000 Jamaicans took shelter overnight in emergency shelters throughout the nation.
Full Devastation Won’t Be Visible Until Daylight
With power cut to most of Jamaica and nightfall rendering visibility out of the question, officials can’t determine the extent of damage yet. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he anticipates “devastating impacts” wherever the hurricane’s center crossed, with damage to hospitals, homes and businesses. Jamaica’s two international airports are still shut, barring aid flights from arrival.
One Jamaican man reported to BBC News “the winds are so strong you would not be able to stand up,” and a woman stated “water is coming through my roof – I am not OK.” BBC correspondent Will Grant reported that once daylight arrives, the true measure of destruction beyond early reports will be clearer, but Jamaica’s main airport in Kingston could remain closed another day before assistance can arrive.
Cuba Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba stated over 735,000 individuals left their residences as Melissa heads towards them. He tweeted it would be “a very hard night for all of Cuba.” The National Hurricane Center notified that the storm will produce 10 to 20 inches of rain across eastern Cuba, and mountainous regions could receive as much as 25 inches. This will lead to “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding” along with multiple landslides.
Storm surges would be 8 to 12 feet above normal high tide along the shore where the hurricane hits. Hurricane warnings are in place for five provinces along Cuba’s eastern coast – Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin and Las Tunas. The residents were urged to be courageous by the president, adding “I ask you to be alert, show solidarity, and not forget discipline in the face of this threat.”
Aid Agencies Ready for Big Disaster
Brian Bogart, head of the World Food Programme’s Caribbean office, said Melissa will be a “major disaster” in the history of the region. He said to the BBC “I fear it will look like some of the most disastrous events that I’ve been involved in.” Getting aid through will be very tough if bridges get washed out and roads get disrupted, making it difficult to access communities and know what they require.
President Trump indicated that the U.S. is ready to assist Jamaica if necessary, referring to it as an unprecedented storm. “I’ve never seen that before,” Trump said of the unusual Category 5 rating Melissa held at landfall. Subsequent to Cuba, the hurricane will strike the southeastern or central Bahamas on Wednesday and reach Bermuda by Thursday. Hurricane Melissa intensifies as it charges toward Cuba after striking Jamaica with catastrophic flooding and devastation.
News at glance
- Hurricane Melissa passed over Jamaica as most powerful storm to ever strike the nation in recent history
- Three reported dead in Jamaica, total number not yet known as assessment is ongoing
- Storm re-intensified to Category 4 with 130 mph winds targeting Cuba
- 735,000 were evacuated in Cuba as hurricane projected to bring catastrophic flooding
- Almost 15,000 Jamaicans taking shelter, St. Elizabeth Parish totally underwater
FAQs
Q: How powerful was Hurricane Melissa when it struck Jamaica?
A: Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane when it hit the island of Jamaica, the largest storm to ever strike the Caribbean island in recent history. It reduced to Category 3 strength as it traversed the island but has since re-strengthened to Category 4.
Q: How many fatalities have there been from the hurricane?
A: Three people were killed in Jamaica prior to the storm coming ashore. Officials state that it’s too early to determine if there are additional casualties because evaluations cannot be conducted until daylight and large parts of the country are powerless.
Q: In what direction is Hurricane Melissa moving next?
A: The storm is now bearing down on Cuba and due to make landfall within hours. It will then hit the central or southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday and pass close to Bermuda by Thursday.
Q: How much rain will Cuba receive?
A: Eastern Cuba will see 10 to 20 inches of rain, with mountainous regions potentially receiving 25 inches. This will lead to life-threatening flash flooding and multiple landslides as per the National Hurricane Center.
Q: How many evacuees were there in Cuba?
A: Over 735,000 persons in Cuba have been evacuated as per President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. Five hurricane-warning provinces are in the east.
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