hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds, is lashing Jamaica with ferocious winds, torrential rain, and storm surge as its eye moves toward Cuba. Despite the hurricane’s center remaining just offshore, widespread destruction is being reported across the island nation.
Hundreds of thousands of Jamaicans are without power,and nearly 15,000 people have sought refuge in emergency shelters,according to officials. Extensive damage has been reported in southwestern Jamaica, particularly in the parish of St. Elizabeth, impacting schools, homes, and hospitals. The storm also threatens Jamaica’s food security, with some of the country’s main food-producing regions being “battered” by melissa, a World Food Program official stated.
The National hurricane Center declared melissa a Category 4 hurricane this afternoon. While the storm’s center skirted Jamaica, the island is experiencing notable impacts. Officials report that schools, homes, and hospitals in St. elizabeth have sustained damage.
The World Food Programme has warned that Melissa is impacting key agricultural areas,potentially disrupting food supplies. CNN Meteorologists Mary Gilbert and Taylor Ward, along with Hira Humayun, Elise Hammond, Tori B. Powell, billy Stockwell, and Catherine Nicholls, contributed to this report.
