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Photo via CMC
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica is bracing for the passage of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday as the category 5 storm is expected to move across southeastern Cuba on Wednesday morning, and the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the storm, which has already been blamed for three deaths in Jamaica, is about 115 miles west-southwest of the capital, Kingston.
It has maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour (mph) and Melissa is moving towards the north-northeast at near five mph. A turn towards the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a faster northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has confirmed that three people have died and 13 others have been injured in hurricane preparations.
He said the deaths occurred while the individuals were preparing for the Category 5 storm that is showing signs of fluctuations in intensity before making landfall.
“Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane, and it will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas,” the NHC warned.
Tufton has expressed sadness over the storm-related deaths.
“Condolences to the family members who lost loved ones,” he said, adding that the health system would provide the necessary support for those individuals.
“We understand the need to prepare but we urge extreme caution in that preparation. If you need help, call for help but be careful to protect yourself during the preparation because already we are seeing the tragedy of lives,” Tufton said.
The NHC said that a hurricane watch is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, while a tropical storm watch remains in effect for Haiti.
Tropical storm conditions are occurring in Jamaica, and catastrophic hurricane-force winds are expected to begin this morning. Within the eyewall, total structural failure is likely, especially in higher elevation areas where wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains could be up to 30 per cent stronger.
Melissa is expected to bring rainfall of 15 to 30 inches to portions of Jamaica, and catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely.
A life-threatening storm surge is likely along the south coast of Jamaica today. Peak storm surge heights could reach nine to 13 feet above ground level, near and to the east of where the centre of Melissa makes landfall.
“This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. On the northwest coast of Jamaica, near Montego Bay, there is the possibility of tw to four feet of storm surge above ground level.
“Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands during the next several days, likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC warned.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping has expressed ” deep concern for, and solidarity with” with Jamaica as well as Haiti, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands which are in the path of the record-breaking system, Hurricane Melissa.
“We commend the efforts of national disaster management agencies and emergency responders who have been working to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being. We urge everyone to heed the official advice and information shared to secure lives against the wrath of this devastating system,” the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat said in a statement.
“CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to a collective effort to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane, including through the coordinated efforts of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA),” it added.
