Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path through the Caribbean, having devastated Jamaica on Tuesday with winds reaching 160 mph and torrential rain.
Authorities have declared the situation on the island as "extremely dangerous," urging residents to remain sheltered.
The latest advisory issued at 3:00 p.m. Miami time by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Melissa was situated over northwest Jamaica, unleashing catastrophic winds, storm surges, and widespread flooding.
The advisory emphasized the urgency for residents to stay in their shelters, warning of intensified winds following the hurricane's eye passage.
"Hurricane Melissa is causing catastrophic winds, flash floods, and dangerous storm surges in Jamaica. Do not leave your shelters. This is an extremely hazardous and potentially deadly situation," the report stated.
The update noted that the cyclone's central pressure had dropped to 906 mb, with sustained winds of 160 mph, maintaining Melissa as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Potential Impact on Cuba
An earlier bulletin at 2:00 p.m. had already described Melissa as an "extremely dangerous hurricane" sweeping across western Jamaica with winds of 165 mph and a minimum pressure of 899 mb.
The report detailed that the system was moving north-northeast at 8 mph, expected to impact eastern Cuba in the early hours of Wednesday.
Wide-Reaching Effects Across the Caribbean
Melissa spans a vast area of the Caribbean, with hurricane-force winds extending 28 miles from the center and tropical storm-force gusts reaching 196 miles outward.
The hurricane is also causing waves between 9 and 13 feet along Jamaica's southern coast and could trigger surges of 8 to 12 feet along southeastern Cuba's shores.
Rainfall projections are equally severe: between 25 and 30 inches in Jamaica and 10 to 20 inches in eastern Cuba, escalating the threat of catastrophic flooding and landslides.
Alert and Preparedness
Cuban provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, Holguín, and Las Tunas remain under hurricane warning, while Camagüey, Haiti, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are under tropical storm watch.
The independent global weather visualization platform Windy projected on Tuesday that Hurricane Melissa would make landfall near Uvero–Chivirico, in Santiago de Cuba, by dawn on Wednesday, with maximum winds close to 138 mph.
Understanding Hurricane Melissa's Impact
What areas are most affected by Hurricane Melissa?
Jamaica and eastern Cuba are expected to experience the most severe impacts, including catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surges.
How strong is Hurricane Melissa?
Melissa is classified as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds reaching up to 160 mph.
What measures should residents take during the hurricane?
Residents are advised to remain in their shelters and follow local authorities' instructions, as the situation is extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening.