The hurricane Melissa will continue to intensify during Monday and will hit the eastern part of Cuba on Tuesday night.
According to the 2 p.m. report on Sunday from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.4 North, longitude 76.9 West.
The Category 4 hurricane is moving west at about 5 mph (7 km/h). A slow westward movement is expected for the remainder of Sunday, followed by a turn to the north and northeast on Monday and Tuesday.
The core of Melissa will move near or over Jamaica on Tuesday and through southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night, before crossing the Bahamas on Wednesday.
It has maximum sustained winds near 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts.
The NHC forecasts additional intensification on Monday, followed by fluctuations in intensity.
"It is expected that Melissa will be a powerful major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica on Monday night or Tuesday morning and in southeastern Cuba late Tuesday," the report states
Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area in eastern Cuba from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to the information.
Melissa has hurricane-force winds that extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center.
The hurricane will impact the eastern region of Cuba, with total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 15 inches, with localized amounts of 20 inches, from Tuesday to Wednesday
Therefore, it could cause sudden floods and numerous landslides.
Evacuations in Guantánamo ahead of imminent impact
Guantánamo will evacuate 139,000 people due to the imminent arrival of the hurricane Melissa, of which 108,000 will seek refuge in the homes of family and friends.
According to the official press, there are 83 centers for food production and 69 schools serving as evacuation centers.
In Baracoa, 10,000 people will remain evacuated, while recent rains have impacted the mountain roads, drainage system, and the main bridge in the area.
In Maisí, the Boca de Jauco bridge collapsed, limiting the municipality's access by land.
"We still have time to prepare ourselves," stated the PCC leader in the province, Yoel Pérez García.
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