As the people of Jamaica are urged to ‘seek shelter now’ before Hurricane Melissa makes landfall, worrying forecasts show just how catastrophic this storm could be, with maps turning black in some places
A grim weather map, which shows the path of Hurricane Melissa, highlights just how intense this monster storm is expected to become, as experts warn that “millions of people are at risk of catastrophic impacts”.
With powerful 120mph (195 km/h) winds, Hurricane Melissa is strengthening toward a rare Category 5 as it moves slowly northwest toward Jamaica, with landfall expected Tuesday (October 28). This glacial approach, just 5mph, means the tropical storm will have an even greater impact, prolonging the potential for flooding and huge waves, thus causing more damage to coastlines and buildings.
Experts have previously expressed fears that this ‘catastrophic’ storm could well be worse than tragic Storm Gilbert, which devastated the island country back in 1988. Now Jamaicans have been urged to “seek shelter now” ahead of what looks set to be a biblical weather event, with this forecast map, created by Ventusky, demonstrating how the next few days are expected to unfold.
As can be seen in disturbing time-lapse footage, some parts of the map turn black as the effects of the ferocious storm take hold, while the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has warned: “Damaging winds and heavy rainfall today and on Monday will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides before potentially devastating winds arrive Monday night and Tuesday morning.”
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As per the NHC, it’s expected Melissa will move near or over Jamaica early Tuesday, before crossing Cuba into the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday. Last night (Sunday, October 26), Melissa was centred approximately 125 miles (205 kilometres) south-southwest of the Jamaican capital of Kingston, Jamaica, and around 310 miles (495 kilometres) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba.
It’s anticipated that Melissa will drop up to 30 inches (76 centimetres) of rain on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola – Haiti and the Dominican Republic – the hurricane centre has confirmed, with some areas potentially seeing as much as 40 inches (1 meter) of rain.
Addressing the nation, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told citizens, “I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned. But the best way to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared.”
Residents have been advised to secure their homes using sandbags and wooden boards, and to make sure to stock up on any essentials, ahead of what could be an extremely challenging few days.
Weather warnings are also in effect in parts of Haiti, including the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba, which is expected to feel the formidable force of Melissa by the middle of this week, before moving on through the Antillas Mayores and onwards into the Atlantic.
Sadly, there have already been tragedies as the storm takes hold, BBC News reports, with landslides caused by the hurricane having already two in Haiti so far, the nation’s Civil Protection agency has announced.
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