FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Hurricane Melissa has reached its maximum Category 5 strength and is hitting the coast of Jamaica with destructive winds of up to 185 miles per hour (about 297 km/h), ranking as the second strongest storm in Atlantic history.
According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the pressure at the center of the hurricane has dropped to 892 millibars, an indication of the extreme power of the storm that is destroying everything in its path. At this intensity, Melissa is just behind the legendary Hurricane Allen (190 mph) of 1980.
The "eye" of the hurricane has begun to pass over southern Jamaica, marking the official start of landfall. Authorities are warning that the next few hours will be "critical and extremely dangerous" for the population.
According to reports from CNN and The Washington Post, winds are knocking down trees, power poles and buildings in several coastal cities, while severe flooding has been recorded in Kingston, Port Royal and Black River.
Experts predict extraordinary rainfall, with up to 1000 mm of rain in some areas, which is expected to cause landslides and the complete isolation of some communities.
Sea waves are reaching up to 4 meters high, while a powerful storm surge is hitting the southern coast of the country.
The Jamaican government has declared a national state of emergency and ordered mandatory evacuations in all coastal and mountainous areas. More than 500 public shelters have been opened across the country, while the military and rescue services are working to evacuate citizens who have been left stranded.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the country could face "catastrophic consequences" if the hurricane continues at the same intensity.
"Jamaica has never seen a storm of this magnitude before. We are facing a test of our national survival," he declared in an extraordinary televised address.
Initial reports indicate at least three deaths and dozens of injuries, while around 1.5 million people are without electricity.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Melissa is moving north-northeast at around 7 mph (11 km/h), and is expected to hit eastern Cuba within 24 hours, before moving over the Bahamas.
International aid agencies, including the Red Cross and the World Food Program, have mobilized funds and emergency teams for immediate response once the immediate danger has passed.
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