Hurricane ‘Melissa’ Approaching Jamaica
Jamaican authorities have announced that Hurricane ‘Melissa’, a Category 5 storm with wind speeds near 280 kilometers per hour, is expected to make landfall on Tuesday. The storm’s eye will move over Jamaica during the night and early morning hours, bringing sustained winds of almost 280 km/h with even higher gusts, according to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Intense Rainfall and Severe Weather Warnings
The National Meteorological Office predicts fluctuations in storm intensity before landfall, but it will remain an “extremely powerful” hurricane. Rainfall accumulations of 350 to 750 millimeters per square meter are anticipated over the coming days, particularly in central and eastern Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness warns of possible sudden flooding and landslides, along with severe thunderstorms and large waves, especially in the southern part of the country.
Impact on Neighboring Countries
Due to its exceptionally slow movement, Hurricane ‘Melissa’ will also affect nearby countries such as Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The U.S. military base in Guantánamo has evacuated around a thousand non-essential personnel over the weekend as a precautionary measure.
U.S. Military Preparations
The commander of the U.S. Naval Southern Command, Vice Admiral John Hewitt, stated, “We are closely monitoring the storm’s progress and taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our personnel and prepare our bases.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the expected impact of Hurricane ‘Melissa’ on Jamaica? The Category 5 hurricane is expected to bring near 280 km/h winds, intense rainfall (350 to 750 mm per square meter), and severe weather conditions, including sudden flooding, landslides, thunderstorms, and large waves.
- Which neighboring countries will be affected by Hurricane ‘Melissa’? Due to its slow movement, the hurricane will impact Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
- What precautionary measures have been taken at the U.S. military base in Guantánamo? Around a thousand non-essential personnel have been evacuated from the U.S. military base in Guantánamo as a precaution against Hurricane ‘Melissa’.
