Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Threatens Cuba, Bahamas, Florida

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph, causing significant destruction, power outages, and at least four deaths reported in Jamaica and 25 in Haiti due to flooding. After moving off Jamaica's northern coast, Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall up to 500 mm in some areas, storm surges of 8 to 12 feet, and widespread power and communication outages. The hurricane is now moving northeast across Cuba and is forecasted to pass over the southeastern Bahamas and near Bermuda, maintaining hurricane strength with sustained winds around 105 mph. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for parts of Florida's coastal waters due to strong winds, high seas, and minor flooding expected from the storm's outer bands. Emergency authorities continue to warn of dangerous storm surges, flash floods, and landslides, emphasizing the ongoing threat to affected Caribbean regions and the potential impacts on Bermuda and Florida. The National Hurricane Center and local agencies remain vigilant, monitoring two additional tropical waves east of Florida but currently see no immediate threat from them.