Hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica

A hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica as catastrophic Category 3 Hurricane Melissa drifts toward eastern Cuba.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica says Hurricane Melissa is expected to produce rainfall amounts reaching 15 to 30 inches over parts of Jamaica in the next couple of days, especially over central parishes, with higher amounts over hilly terrain. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.

At 7 p.m., the centre of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 18.8 degrees North, longitude 77.2 degrees West. This is just off Jamaica's northcentral coast.

Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the north-northeast near 13 km/h (8 mph). A turn toward the northeast is expected later this evening, and a faster motion in that direction is expected on Wednesday and Thursday.

The core of Melissa is expected to move over eastern Cuba later tonight and early Wednesday morning, move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, and approach Bermuda Thursday and Thursday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 205 km/h (125 mph) with higher gusts. Melissa is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across Cuba, the Bahamas, and near Bermuda.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 km (30 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 315 km (195 miles).

Doppler radar and satellite images show that bands of heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Melissa continues to spread across Jamaica. Data obtained from the weather station network indicate amounts exceeding 250 mm (10 inches) in parts of southern parishes.

Extremely dangerous hurricane-force wind conditions are spreading over northwestern and northcentral sections of Jamaica as the eyewall of Melissa moves away from Jamaica.

Large and destructive waves, are likely along the south coast of Jamaica, between St Elizabeth and St Catherine. Storm surge flooding on the southern coast of Jamaica should subside tonight. On the northwestern coast, there is also the possibility of 2-4 feet storm surge above ground level tonight.

Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

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