Hurricane Melissa path: Tracking the devastating Category 5 storm after landfall

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon as a Class 5 hurricane — one of the crucial highly effective hurricane landfalls on document within the Atlantic basin.

Right here is Melissa’s projected path: 

The hurricane-force winds started in western Jamaica on Tuesday morning and can final till the night.

Round 1 p.m. ET, Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica close to New Hope with estimated most sustained winds of 185 mph. That is thought-about an especially harmful and life-threatening scenario; individuals in Jamaica are urged to shelter in place.

The worst storm surge will probably be on the western half of the island, the place 9 to 13 ft of surge will inundate the coast. On the northwest facet of the island, the Montego Bay space may see 2 to 4 ft of storm surge above floor stage. The capital metropolis of Kingston will see damaging storm surge, however not the worst.

Heavy rain will inundate all the island, with totals of 15 to 30 inches anticipated, and a few areas seeing as much as 40 inches. The rain will possible spark catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.

Jamaicans ought to be ready for in depth infrastructure injury and long-lasting energy outages.

Southeast Cuba will really feel hurricane-force winds Tuesday night time by means of Wednesday morning. Cuba is forecast to see 7 to 11 ft of storm surge, as much as 25 inches of rain, and probably landslides and catastrophic flash flooding.

The southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos will really feel the impacts of Hurricane Melissa on Wednesday. 4 to six ft of storms surge is predicted together with 5 to 10 inches of rain.

Melissa will nonetheless be a hurricane by the point it passes close to Bermuda on Friday morning.