Satellite View: Hurricane Melissa Opens Its Eye Ahead of Jamaica Landfall
Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometres per hour.
The eye is about 195 kilometres south-southeast of Kingston Jamaica and moving slowly west at 7 kilometres per hour.
The storm is expected to remain near or over Jamaica through Tuesday before moving across southeastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas.
Melissa is forecast to bring catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to southern Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.
Total rainfall of 380 to 760 millimetres is expected with local maxima up to 1000 millimetres.
Eastern Cuba could receive 150 to 300 millimetres of rain with isolated totals up to 450 millimetres.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica. Parts of Haiti and Cuba are under hurricane or tropical storm watches.
Life-threatening storm surge of three to four metres is expected along Jamaica’s south coast with large destructive waves.
Dangerous swells will also affect Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba and the Cayman Islands creating hazardous surf and rip currents.
NOAA Hurricane Hunters are sampling the storm. Further rapid intensification is possible. Residents are urged to follow guidance from local authorities and prepare for severe weather.
