Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 storm, packing winds of up to 140 mph (220 km/h) and is expected to strengthen further as it approaches Jamaica, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday.
The storm, currently about 110 miles (180 km) south of Kingston, is forecast to make landfall on Monday night or early Tuesday, before moving toward southeastern Cuba later on Tuesday. Authorities warned of catastrophic flooding, landslides, and storm surges across the region.
During a press briefing in Kingston, officials announced that both of Jamaica’s international airports had been closed and 881 emergency shelters activated nationwide.
“Many of these communities will not survive the flooding,” said Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government. “Kingston is extremely low — no community is immune.”
Officials said a decision on mandatory evacuations would be made later in the day, but urged residents to leave immediately. Despite the warnings, some have refused evacuation assistance.
“We’re riding out the storm,” said Douglas Butler, a boat captain in Port Royal. “As long as I have food, I’ll be fine. I’m not going anywhere.”
The NHC expects 15 to 30 inches of rain in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with localised peaks of 40 inches, while eastern Cuba may see up to 20 inches.
Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon said the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and international partners were ready to provide aid.
“We will experience the full intensity of the hurricane Monday night into Tuesday,” she said. “This is rainfall we’ve not seen before.”
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