Jamaica in crisis mode as Category 5 ‘storm of the century’ set to make landfall bringing extreme weather, damaging winds, rain and flooding; track the path as storm moves towards Cuba and Bahamas
Hurricane Melissa LIVE: Category 5 ‘storm of the century’ to make landfall in Jamaica
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What you need to know
With Ellen Connolly
Hello and thank you for joining us as we present live coverage of what has been described as the “storm of the century” for Jamaica.
Here’s a summary:
- Hurricane Melissa is on track to directly impact Jamaica within a few hours and will be in the early hours of Wednesday (AEDT).
- Described by one meteorologist as the “storm of the century,” Melissa is currently a category 5 hurricane.
- Authorities in Jamaica and Cuba have issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people, but many refuse to leave.
- There have been seven deaths in the Caribbean so far: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with one more person missing.
- The Jamaican government appealed for international assistance, warning that “no infrastructure in the region will be able to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.”
- After Jamaica, Melissa is expected to move towards Cuba and bring severe weather to Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands and other parts of the Caribbean.
A man watches the coastline in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches.Credit: access point
‘Our time is running out’
Hurricane Melissa will likely remain a strong Category 5 storm when it reaches Jamaica in just a few hours.
“We’re running out of time for it to weaken before it makes landfall,” said Jack Beven, senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
Melissa has maintained 180km/h winds since yesterday and while forecasters said the winds could weaken, Beven said it would still be a “catastrophic descent”.
Image: Melissa dwarfs Jamaica
With Ellen Connolly
This image shows just how large Hurricane Melissa was as it approached Jamaica. It is a reminder of the immense power of the storm and the danger facing the island and its inhabitants.
What you need to know
With Ellen Connolly
Hello and thank you for joining us as we present live coverage of what has been described as the “storm of the century” for Jamaica.
Here’s a summary:
- Hurricane Melissa is on track to directly impact Jamaica within a few hours and will be in the early hours of Wednesday (AEDT).
- Described by one meteorologist as the “storm of the century,” Melissa is currently a category 5 hurricane.
- Authorities in Jamaica and Cuba have issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people, but many refuse to leave.
- There have been seven deaths in the Caribbean so far: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, with one more person missing.
- The Jamaican government appealed for international assistance, warning that “no infrastructure in the region will be able to withstand a Category 5 hurricane.”
- After Jamaica, Melissa is expected to move towards Cuba and bring severe weather to Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands and other parts of the Caribbean.
A man watches the coastline in Kingston, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches.Credit: access point
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