Incredible footage has showcased the massive eye of Hurricane Melissa as it approaches Jamaica, with winds nearing 200 mph. This storm is recorded as the strongest ever to threaten the island.
A clip shared by meteorologist Jeremy DeHart highlighted a towering 10,000-foot-high wall of clouds as the storm landed in Jamaica on Sunday.
DeHart remarked, “It’s as clear-eyed as you can see in the Atlantic Basin.”
While winds in the eyewall reached 175 mph, clear blue skies and sunshine could still be seen above the formidable clouds.
As a Category 5 super typhoon, Melissa is set to strike Jamaica head-on by Tuesday morning, according to forecasters, marking the first incidence of a storm of this strength making landfall in Jamaica since records began in 1850.
Comparatively, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which was only a Category 3, inflicted damage or destruction on about one-fifth of the buildings on the island, costing $2.5 billion and resulting in 45 fatalities.
Melissa is predicted to reach land between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. with minimum winds of 150 mph, leading to serious consequences for the island, as per Fox Weather.
Greg Diamond, a meteorologist with Fox Weather, pointed out, “All of Jamaica will be affected in some way.” Moreover, he noted that winds exceeding 150 mph could lead to building collapses and extensive damage to the region’s infrastructure, particularly in western Jamaica.
Heavy rainfall, potentially surpassing 40 inches, is also anticipated, which could result in “catastrophic flooding and multiple landslides across the island,” he further elaborated.
Melissa is expected to pass over Jamaica by Wednesday, subsequently hitting southeastern Cuba, affecting Haiti, then moving on to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands before finally moving out to sea.
The storm might re-enter the Atlantic Ocean by the end of Wednesday and make a final landfall in Bermuda on Thursday.
While Florida and the mainland United States are not likely to experience significant impacts, strong rip currents and rough seas may develop in the Panhandle area.
Starting its approach on Monday, Hurricane Melissa caused all of Jamaica’s airports to close, and power lines were already coming down in the strong winds.
Some areas are under mandatory evacuation orders due to expected storm surges reaching up to 13 feet and the looming threat of flash flooding.
