Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane Melissa was one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.
Melissa had one of the most powerful landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin.
Hurricane Melissa tore a path of destruction across Jamaica on Tuesday, prompting the prime minister to declare the country a disaster area, after the storm made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin.
After lashing Jamaica with dangerous winds and flooding rain, Melissa made a second landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane early Wednesday morning. Now Melissa is heading toward the Bahamas as a Category 2 storm.
Key Headlines
Here’s how the news is developing.
11 minutes ago
Jamaica’s prime minister issues ‘all clear’ to begin restoration operations
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued the “all clear” for the island, allowing utility companies to begin restoration and recovery operations.
“The Government is also encouraging supermarkets, wholesales, gas stations, and pharmacies, particularly in less affected areas, to reopen where possible, to ensure that communities have access to essential goods and services,” the prime minister said in a statement.
Residents are urged to maintain caution, “especially in areas where downed power lines, debris, or flooding may still pose risks,” he added.
-ABC News’ Othon Leyva
19 minutes ago
No new fatalities reported in Jamaica
Search and rescue operations are underway across Jamaica, but no new fatalities have been reported, Desmond McKenzie, the minister of Local Government and Community Development, said Wednesday morning.
“We are not in a position to speak about any deaths because have not had any reports of deaths so far. So, we cannot presume that there are deaths,” McKenzie said. “I am hoping that there are no deaths to report on. But we are not in a position to make an official statement on deaths because we have not received any such information.”
At least three people died in Jamaica during storm preparations earlier this week, according to The Associated Press.
27 minutes ago
Widespread destruction reported on western part of Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa struck the western part of Jamaica the hardest, leaving widespread destruction, officials said.
Black River Hospital on the southwest side of the island has been devastated and several other hospitals suffered damage, Desmond McKenzie, the minister of Local Government and Community Development, said.
Many roads are flooded and crews are working to clear the roads that are blocked by debris, officials said.
Officials said they hope to open Norman Manly International Airport in Kingston for relief flights on Thursday.
-ABC News’ Othon Leyva
50 minutes ago
Latest forecast
Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 2 storm with winds of 100 mph, has moved away from Cuba and is heading northeast toward the southeastern Bahamas.
But the flooding rains and damaging winds will continue for Cuba throughout the day. Rain totals on the island are forecast to reach 10 to 20 inches and could even hit 25 inches in some areas.
The southeast Bahamas should expect 5 to 10 inches of rainfall and a storm surge of 4 to 7 feet.
-ABC News’ Kenton Gewecke
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