Hurricane Melissa surged into a powerful Category 5 storm Monday morning, Oct. 27, and is forecast to have devastating impacts on islands in the northern Caribbean with even stronger winds in elevated areas and up to 30 inches of rain in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center in Florida.
Where is the hurricane headed? Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica through Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and across the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.
Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the weekend, the NHC said. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels when the storm makes landfall, accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Will Hurricane Melissa (Category 5) impact Jacksonville?
No. As of now, Hurricane Melissa is moving slowly northward across the central Caribbean early this week and is expected to turn northeast toward the Bahamas later in the week. The storm currently poses no threat to Florida or the U.S…