Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica, as government warns of disastrous flooding
Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in south-western Jamaica. Forecasters say the category five storm is raging with wind speeds of 185 mph (295 km/h).
The country’s local government Minister, Desmond McKenzie while updating citizens, urged residents to heed safety advice, saying: “This is not the time to be brave… Don’t bet against Melissa – it is a bet we can’t win”
The Energy Minister Daryl Vaz also said that one-third of the country is experiencing power cuts, while a forecaster warned that things will get “significantly worse”
Hurricane Melissa is the strongest to lash the Island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago, forecasters say.
NBC reported that the storm’s eyewall entered near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica at 1 p.m. ET and is expected to slice diagonally across the island, exiting around St. Ann parish in the north, with a maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.
Details soon…
