The Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center of the U.S. (NHC) Jamie Rhome warned about the “potentially catastrophic” impact of Hurricane Melissa.
In a communication on social media, the expert explained that it is a potentially catastrophic event developing according to the forecast.
He also stated that the powerful hurricane, currently a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, has the potential to intensify further before moving over Jamaica in the coming days.
Rhome predicted that the impact of the hurricane on Jamaica could last for 24 hours, while tropical storm conditions might persist for two or three days.
Jamaica could experience “a potential rainfall exceeding 3 feet. Let me say that once again, potential rainfall amounts exceeding 3 feet over densely mountainous terrain are almost certain to create flooding,” he said.
Hurricane conditions will settle or occur over the island during an excess
"If you're watching from Jamaica, the conditions are going to deteriorate quickly," he warned.
It also predicted extreme flash flooding over eastern Cuba as the center moves in that direction.
Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa will continue to intensify throughout Monday and will impact eastern Cuba on Tuesday night.
According to the report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at two in the afternoon on Sunday, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 16.4 North, longitude 76.9 West.
The Category 4 hurricane is moving westward at about 5 mph (7 km/h). Throughout the remainder of Sunday, a slow westward movement is expected, 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 across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, then it will move through the Bahamas on Wednesday.
It has maximum sustained winds of around 140 mph (220 km/h) with higher gusts.
The NHC predicts further 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 southeast Cuba by late Tuesday," the report reads
Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area in eastern Cuba from Tuesday into Wednesday, the information specifies.
Melissa has hurricane-force winds that extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center.
The hurricane will impact eastern Cuba, with total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 15 inches, and local amounts of up to 20 inches, from Tuesday to Wednesday
Therefore, it could cause flash flooding and numerous landslides.
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