Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, is the strongest hurricane on record for the region, with winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph) and exceptionally low central pressure. The storm has caused at least one death and significant damage, including the destruction of four hospitals and power outages affecting over 500,000 customers in Jamaica.
Currently categorized as a Category 2 storm, Melissa is moving across Cuba, where authorities have evacuated over 735,000 residents. Forecasters anticipate life-threatening conditions, including devastating flooding and landslides, particularly in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas, with rain accumulation expected to reach up to 20 inches in some areas.
The storm has rapidly intensified, linked to climate change and warmer ocean temperatures, which contributed to the hurricane’s swift strengthening over a short period. Melissa is the fourth hurricane to experience rapid intensification in the Atlantic this year, complicating forecasting and emergency planning efforts.
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