by Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton
The Category 5 storm is expected to hit the island Oct. 27
Jamaica is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, as weather forecasts predict the Category 5 storm will hit the island Oct. 27.
According to The Associated Press, Category 5 is the highest level for a hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale (According to the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, “Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”). Sustained winds typically exceed 157 mph. This forecast is for the strongest hurricane in recent history, expected to directly hit the small island.
Hurricane Melissa has already had casualties, as the storm has killed at least three people in Haiti and a fourth person in the Dominican Republic. Another person is missing.
“I want to urge Jamaicans to take this seriously,” said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council. “Do not gamble with Melissa. It’s not a safe bet.”
Updates can be seen here online.
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Source: Black Enterprise
