Hurricane “Melissa“ in the Caribbean Sea lost some of its strength, a few hours after reaching Jamaica at full strength and was downgraded to a category four storm, but still remains “life-threatening“, according to the US National Hurricane Center, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The storm passed through the northwestern part of the Caribbean island with a sustained wind speed of 240 km/h, the Miami-based center reported.
Earlier “Melissa“ made landfall near the town of New Hope on the southwestern coast of Jamaica with winds reaching 295 km/h.
“Melissa“ already claimed lives before reaching Jamaica. At least four people died in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to heavy rains.
In Jamaica, three people died while cutting down trees in preparation for the hurricane, the Department of Health said. The full extent of the damage remains unclear.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the hurricane still posed an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation“, urging residents not to leave their homes or shelters. The Jamaican government also warned of “catastrophic damage“.
Videos shared on social media showed roofs torn off, trees uprooted and roads flooded.
“Melissa“ is among the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. The Red Cross warned that its impact could be “probably unprecedented“ for the island nation of nearly three million people.
"Melissa" is currently approaching Cuba, where they have prepared for winds of up to 230 kilometers per hour, BNR reported.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged his fellow citizens not to return home and to stay in shelters prepared for this.
The authorities in Cuba announced that they had evacuated about half a million people from areas vulnerable to flooding and strong winds, "The Guardian" reported.