Hurricane Melissa latest: ‘Extremely dangerous’ storm strengthens towards Cuba after devastating Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into an “extremely dangerous” category 4 hurricane on its approach towards eastern Cuba after striking Jamaica as one of the most powerful storms in the Atlantic Basin.
The National Hurricane Center said the hurricane was “re-strengthening” ahead of the landfall, packing maximum sustained winds 130mph.
The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica earlier as a category 5 storm with 185mph winds near New Hope.
At least seven people have died across the Caribbean – three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Melissa is expected to remain a “powerful” storm as it moves across Cuba, the Bahamas and near Bermuda, the NHC said.“It will be the storm of the century for sure,” World Meteorological Organization tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan said before the storm pummelled Jamaica.
In Cuba, residents have been told to “seek shelter immediately”, while authorities in the Bahamas are urging people to complete preparations to protect life and property.
