Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 3 storm, made landfall on the southeastern coast of Cuba with sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h), bringing destructive winds, flooding and storm surge to the region.
The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm is moving slowly at about 12 mph (19 km/h), meaning communities are exposed to strong winds and heavy rain for prolonged periods. Warnings remain in effect for major cities in the east, including Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.
Online tribune reports that Melissa hit Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, leaving widespread destruction and residents waiting for daybreak to assess the full extent of the damage.
In Haiti, which is located east of Cuba, people have sought shelter in schools and other buildings, although the eye of the hurricane is not expected to pass directly over the country.
After crossing Cuba, the storm is forecast to weaken as it moves northeast towards the Bahamas and Bermuda later today, the BBC reports.
Authorities are warning of dangerous flooding and life-threatening storm surge along Cuba’s southeastern coast as Hurricane Melissa continues its path through the Caribbean.
(BBC)
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