Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of around 297 km/h, hit Jamaica, causing three deaths and 13 injuries. The cyclone, category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is the most powerful to hit the Caribbean country.
Authorities urged people to stay in safe shelters, warning of devastating winds and the risk of structural failures, especially in mountainous areas. Around 360 people were in 29 shelters spread across the country. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has received assurances of support from allied states for the post-season recovery.
Melissa’s core is expected to move southeast of Cuba and subsequently pass through the southeast or central Bahamas. Hurricane-force winds reach up to 45 km from the center and tropical storm-force winds reach up to 315 km. The US National Hurricane Center maintains warnings for Jamaica, parts of Cuba and the Bahamas, while Haiti, Camaguey and the Turks and Caicos Islands are under a tropical storm warning.
The Pan American Health Organization has provided sanitary and relief equipment, and the International Organization for Migration is preparing a humanitarian response due to the expected destruction and displacement. The Jamaican government warns of floods, landslides and power cuts, asking for international help to face the emergency.
This is Spaulding, Clarendon presently
— Giovanni R. Dennis (@GiovanniRDennis)
Possible video of the right eye wall of Hurricane in Black River, Jamaica
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA)
