The hurricane Melissa advances with devastating strength toward the southern coast of Jamaica.

At just 70 kilometers south-southeast of Negril, the cyclone continues to intensify rapidly and has reached sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (295 km/h).

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a strong warning in its latest bulletin: "This is your last chance to protect your life."

Critical situation in Jamaica: The threat is already imminent

At 10:00 AM (Eastern Time), the NHC alerted about an "extremely dangerous and potentially deadly" situation for residents in southern Jamaica, due to the imminent impact of the hurricane.

Earlier, at 9 a.m., the National Hurricane Center had already issued a warning about the strengthening of the weather phenomenon.

The outer bands of wind are already beginning to strike the Jamaican coast, while the center of the system -the eye of the hurricane- is approaching the mainland, moving in a north-northeast direction at a speed of 11 km/h (7 mph).

Meteorological authorities urge the public not to be deceived by the apparent calm of the eye.

"Residents experiencing the eye of the hurricane should not leave their shelter, as winds will increase rapidly with the passage of the storm's rear wall," warns the official bulletin.

Urgent recommendations: Protect yourself now

The message is clear and urgent: those who have not yet taken shelter must do so immediately.

Experts recommend seeking shelter in an interior room, without windows, away from trees or objects that could fall.

Covering yourself with mattresses or thick blankets, and wearing a helmet if available, can be crucial in the face of debris propelled by the winds.

“The best place is one where you can put as many walls as possible between you and the outside”, emphasizes the report.

Severe impacts are anticipated due to both catastrophic winds and torrential rains, as well as potential storm surges, raising concerns for the safety of coastal and rural communities.

Melissa is rapidly strengthening: minimal pressure and extreme winds

The latest data collected by the NOAA Hurricane Hunters and the United States Air Force Reserve confirm that Melissa is not only maintaining its strength but is also continuing to intensify.

The central pressure has dropped to 892 millibars, a clear indication of its intensification.

This value, combined with sustained winds of 185 mph, places Melissa in category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, capable of causing catastrophic damage.

According to the latest information, the hurricane was located at coordinates 17.7N 78.1W, moving slowly northeast, which prolongs the threat over Jamaica and maintains the risk of severe flooding and landslides in mountainous areas.

A call to action

The tone of the message from the National Hurricane Center leaves no room for doubt: protecting oneself now is a matter of life or death. Melissa poses an imminent threat, and any delay in taking action could have tragic consequences.

The Jamaican government has activated its emergency protocols, but the slow movement of the hurricane prolongs exposure to the phenomenon, increasing tension and fear among the residents.

As the time of the direct impact approaches, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly in the southern region of Jamaica, including cities such as Negril, Savanna-la-Mar, and Black River.

Local authorities have urged the population to strictly follow official guidelines and stay away from coastal areas.