The powerful hurricane Melissa is violently striking the south of Jamaica, with sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 892 mb, according to the latest report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
"Hurricane Notice #Melissa 29: Melissa, an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane, is about to make landfall in Jamaica. Catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surges are being reported on the island," states the NHC.
This hurricane poses an extremely dangerous and potentially deadly threat to the entire island. Its slow movement makes it even more destructive.
The eye of the hurricane is located about 45 miles (70 km) south-southeast of Negril, moving slowly to the north-northeast at 7 mph (11 km/h), heading toward the southwest of Jamaica, where a direct impact is expected in the coming hours.
Authorities have issued emergency warnings, urging the public to seek shelter immediately in safe places, preferably without windows, and to avoid going out during the calm of the hurricane's eye, as the second wall of winds could be equally or more devastating.
Melissa is already one of the most intense cyclones recorded in the Caribbean in recent years, with catastrophic winds threatening to cause widespread damage, power outages, and high surges.
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