Hurricane Melissa Nears Landfall in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Conditions in Montego Bay

• 🌀 Hurricane Melissa is approaching Montego Bay, Jamaica, with landfall expected as a catastrophic Category 5 storm.
• 🌊 Stunning before-and-after images show a bridge in Jamaica now submerged due to the storm's impact.
• 💨 New video from the Red Hills area of St. Andrew, Jamaica, captures the onset of catastrophic winds.

On-the-Ground Reporting

• 🎙️ Local 10's Aaron Mabin reports live from Montego Bay, describing the building's protection from the wind but noting the intense rain and wind effects on the surroundings.
• 🌴 Palm fronds and bamboo have been secured by hotel workers as a precaution against falling debris.
• 💨 The wind is described as significant, but the rain is highlighted as the primary concern, creating a misty, steamy effect when mixed with the wind.
• ⚠️ Hotel staff are enforcing strict safety protocols, ensuring guests remain in their rooms and delivering food and beverages to them.

Official Warnings and Preparedness

• 🚨 Officials in Jamaica designated 11:00 AM as a critical threshold for residents to seek shelter or secure their homes.
• 🏠 The message to get together and hunker down behind four walls is emphasized for those unable to reach higher ground or shelters.
• 🏗️ A grim warning from the Prime Minister indicates that Jamaica's infrastructure is not built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.