People in Jamaica are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which is forecast to unleash destructive winds and bring catastrophic flooding to the Caribbean nation in the coming hours.
Melissa was upgraded to a category five hurricane - the maximum strength - early on Monday, the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
The authorities fear that Melissa, which has already been blamed for the deaths of four people on the island of Hispaniola, could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica.
The Jamaican government has ordered evacuations for parts of the capital, Kingston, and the entire island has been classed as threatened. An update from the NHC stated that Melissa was about 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.
With maximum sustained wind speeds of 160 mph, Melissa could strengthen further in the next 12 to 24 hours. If it continues on its current path, the hurricane is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, with core impacts expected across southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas thereafter.
Forecasters warn that the slow-moving storm poses a significant risk of heavy rainfall, with up to 40 inches expected in parts of Jamaica over the next four days. Destructive winds and storm surges are anticipated overnight or early Tuesday.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered immediate evacuations in vulnerable communities, emphasizing the safety of residents in low-lying areas. All 881 shelters across the island have been opened in preparation for the storm's impact.
Meanwhile, the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has resulted in at least three confirmed deaths and considerable flooding in areas of Haiti, with ongoing rescue efforts underway as the region continues to grapple with the effects of the storm.
