Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 5, Approaches Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa's Intensification and Impact

• 🌀 Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, nearing Jamaica with sustained winds of 160 mph, potentially becoming the strongest hurricane in the island's recorded history.
• ⚠️ The storm's slow forward progression of only 3 mph means its impact will be prolonged, exacerbating the damage.
• ⚡ Jamaica is bracing for up to 40 inches of rain, leading to significant mudslides, and a storm surge of up to 13 feet, which could completely submerge single-story homes.

Regional Forecast and Warnings

• 🇨🇺 Eastern Cuba is expected to experience a Category 3 storm by Wednesday morning, with up to 2 feet of rain.
• 🇧🇸 A hurricane watch is in effect for the southern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, anticipating a Category 2 storm by Wednesday afternoon.
• 🇧🇲 Bermuda may also experience a close pass from Melissa by Friday morning, marking a third significant storm event for the island this season.

Pre-Landfall Impacts and Evacuations

• 🇩🇴 The Dominican Republic has already experienced flooding and power outages due to Melissa's rainfall.
• 🇺🇸 Military families at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba have been evacuated in anticipation of the storm's arrival.
• 🇭🇹 Haiti has reported three deaths due to landslides caused by the storm's heavy rainfall, even before landfall in Jamaica.