Hurricane Melissa is unleashing its fury with strong winds, heavy rains, and perilous storm surges on Cuba, days after causing chaos in Jamaica with unprecedented floods and landslides.
The storm made landfall in Cuba overnight, raging with max sustained winds reaching approximately 105 mph, categorizing it as a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. This was reported by the National Hurricane Center in their 8 a.m. ET bulletin on October 29.
As per the latest updates, Melissa is about 45 miles northwest of Guantanamo, Cuba. Hurricane warnings are in place for Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas provinces, and some southeastern and central regions of the Bahamas. There’s also a hurricane watch set for Bermuda.
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Forecasters predict that Jamaica could see an additional 3 to 6 inches of rainfall, potentially totaling between 12 to 24 inches by the time they’re done. In some isolated places, totals might even hit nearly 30 inches. Eastern Cuba is expected to face 10 to 20 inches of rain through Wednesday, especially in mountainous regions where localized amounts might soar to 25 inches, leading to severe flash flooding and landslides, according to the hurricane center.
On top of that, the storm is projected to create a “significant storm surge” this morning along Cuba’s southeast coast, possibly reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet above the regular tide levels. The southeastern Bahamas could also experience storm surge reaching between 5 to 8 feet above typically dry areas.
“Cuban residents are advised to take shelter. In the Bahamas, swift measures to protect lives and property are crucial,” reads the advisory from the NHC.
The core of Melissa is expected to cross through eastern Cuba later this morning and venture across the southeastern or central Bahamas by the end of the day, likely nearing Bermuda by late Thursday and Thursday night. This storm is expected to maintain its status as a “powerful hurricane” as it traverses the Bahamas and approaches Bermuda.
Additionally, the swells created by Melissa will continue impacting Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands in the coming days, posing dangers with strong surf and rip current conditions. These swells are beginning to reach the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, with the risk spreading to Bermuda later in the week, forecasters indicate.
Hurricane Melissa Impact Updates
On its trek through Jamaica, Melissa was classified as a terrifying Category 5 hurricane. It brought violent winds and life-threatening floods leading to landslides that left destruction throughout the island. This was alarming as it caused extensive infrastructure harm and widespread power and communication outages affecting hundreds of thousands.
Reports from parishes revealed rampant flooding, blocked roads, and toppled trees and utility poles, as shared by Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development. The St. Elizabeth parish faced severe flooding, leading to power loss and substantial structural damage to its primary hospital.
The International Federation of the Red Cross estimated that around 1.5 million individuals in Jamaica would feel the storm’s effects directly. Approximately 15,000 people had sought refuge in emergency shelters by late Tuesday, with mandatory evacuation orders for about 28,000 residents.
Tragically, hurricane-related fatalities have been reported across the Caribbean, totaling at least seven lives: three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Minister McKenzie expressed his hopes for no casualties on the island, acknowledging that conditions remain overly harsh for proper assessments.
Understanding Hurricane Formation
Hurricanes form in tropical regions above warm waters. When water temperatures rise above 80 degrees, clusters of thunderstorms can emerge, potentially developing into a tropical wave or depression. Once a tropical depression hits sustained winds of 39 mph, it earns the name of a tropical storm; upon reaching 74 mph winds, it’s officially a hurricane.
Article contributors include Thao Nguyen, Dinah Voyles Pulver, and Jeanine Santucci from USA TODAY.
Follow Gabe Hauari, a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY on X at @GabeHauari, or reach out via email at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This originally appeared in USA TODAY: Track Hurricane Melissa’s path as Category 2 storm hammers Cuba
