Inhabitants of Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean are bracing for Hurricane Melissa after it was upgraded to a category 5 hurricane by the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday.

Fox Weather

BBC News

Inhabitants of Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean are bracing for Hurricane Melissa after it was upgraded to a category 5 hurricane by the U.S.-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday.

The latest update from the NHC on Monday said: "Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday."

National Hurricane Center

The latest update from the NHC on Monday said: "Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday."

It added that the hurricane has reached sustained speeds of 160 mph, but warned that speeds could be 30% higher at windward-facing sides of hills and mountains.

It added that the hurricane has reached sustained speeds of 160 mph, but warned that speeds could be 30% higher at windward-facing sides of hills and mountains.

When it makes landfall in Jamaica, "a life-threatening storm surge is likely," the NHC further said, stating that sea levels are estimated to reach between nine and 13 feet above ground level. Rainfall between 15 and 30 inches is also forecast. "Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely."

When it makes landfall in Jamaica, "a life-threatening storm surge is likely," the NHC further said, stating that sea levels are estimated to reach between nine and 13 feet above ground level. Rainfall between 15 and 30 inches is also forecast. "Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely."

Jamaican officials said 881 shelters had been opened and they issued mandatory evacuations in a number of locations, urging members of the public to take the warnings seriously. "Many of these communities will not survive this flooding," Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government, said.

Guardian

Al Jazeera

Jamaican officials said 881 shelters had been opened and they issued mandatory evacuations in a number of locations, urging members of the public to take the warnings seriously. "Many of these communities will not survive this flooding," Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government, said.

The hurricane has already brought heavy rain and flooding to the island of Hispaniola, claiming at three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.

The hurricane has already brought heavy rain and flooding to the island of Hispaniola, claiming at three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.

The government of Jamaica has done all it can do to make sure it is prepared for this hurricane. However, inhabitants of the island need to take these warnings seriously and ensure they're evacauated to shelters or other safe places.

The government of Jamaica has done all it can do to make sure it is prepared for this hurricane. However, inhabitants of the island need to take these warnings seriously and ensure they're evacauated to shelters or other safe places.

Jamaica braces as Hurricane Melissa strengthens offshore

Most residents would rather stay put than go to government-run shelters. In previous storms, these shelters were hotbeds for sexual assault and many people woke up to find that their belongings had been stolen from them.

Most residents would rather stay put than go to government-run shelters. In previous storms, these shelters were hotbeds for sexual assault and many people woke up to find that their belongings had been stolen from them.

Hurricane Melissa strengthens into category 4 as it approaches Jamaica

There's a 50% chance that there will be at least seven hurricanes in the North Atlantic in 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that there will be at least seven hurricanes in the North Atlantic in 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Caribbean Braces for Hurricane Melissa as it Strengthens to Category 5

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Caribbean Braces for Hurricane Melissa as it Strengthens to Category 5

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