The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue rapidly intensifying, with damaging winds and heavy rainfall already affecting parts of Jamaica. Conditions are forecast to worsen through October 26 and into October 28.
Residents across the island are being urged to seek shelter immediately and remain indoors as the storm’s impacts intensify. Jamaica remains under a Hurricane Warning.
A Hurricane Warning means that within 36 hours or less, dangerously high water or exceptionally rough seas are expected, even if winds are below hurricane force. Sustained winds of 64 knots (119km/h) or higher are also possible.
In its 10 p.m. advisory on October 25, the NHC said Hurricane Melissa, located south of Jamaica, is moving west at around 3mph (6km/h). A slow westward motion is expected through the weekend before turning north and northeast on October 27 and October 28.
On the current forecasted track, the hurricane’s centre is expected to move near or over Jamaica through the weekend and early next week, and could approach eastern Cuba by midweek.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115mph (185km/h) with higher gusts. The NHC says continued rapid strengthening is likely, followed by fluctuations in intensity. Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica early next week.
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