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Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica, making forecasters’ predictions that the Category 5 storm will likely result in “catastrophic” flash flooding, landslides, and extensive damage, affecting up to 1.5 million people in the process.

After making landfall in the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland on Tuesday, the United States National Hurricane Center urged Jamaican residents to remain sheltered in “your safe place.”

In a post on X, it stated, “THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION.”

Maximum sustained winds of 295 kilometers (185 mph) were reported by the National Hurricane Center. People were instructed to stay inside when the storm’s eye crosses over the island, according to director Michael Brennan, who said a storm surge of 2.7% to 4.7% (9 to 13 feet).

It will undoubtedly be the storm of the century for Jamaica, according to World Meteorological Organization cyclone expert Anne-Claire Fontan, who added that the rainfall totaled more than 700mm (27.5%), which is roughly twice the amount expected during the typical rainy season.

Local government minister Desmond McKenzie claimed that the island nation had taken every precaution to safeguard itself. He continued, “We are prepared, but I don’t know if we can be prepared for a Category 5 hurricane.” Last year, Beryl killed four people and caused “extensive damage” in his words.

Leiska Powell, an emergency services manager with the Red Cross in Jamaica, told Al Jazeera, “We anticipate stronger winds, more rain, and some significant damage to the western side of the country.”

At least 1.5 million people in Jamaica alone may be affected by Hurricane Melissa, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The wind gusts “took down power lines and toppled trees,” according to Robian Williams, a journalist for the Kingston-based radio station NationWide Radio 90FM.

“Many of us here don’t have electricity. First responders are actually trying to clear the blockade, she said.

The island currently hosts about 25 000 visitors. The office of Prime Minister Andrew Holness has stated that hoteliers are providing “distress rates” and shelter spaces for stranded travelers as they ride out the storm.

Holness stated that Jamaica had received support calls from other Caribbean countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.

According to Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN’s OCHA humanitarian organization, the top priority is “to save as many lives as possible.” He said that “one of the biggest problems with massive flooding is water,” and that “everyone has a problem with having clean water.”

Crocodiles that have been displaced by rapidly rising waters in rivers, gullies, and swamps may now be allowed to “emigrate into residential areas,” according to Jamaica’s South East Regional Health Authority.

Cuba is the next destination.

According to an AFP analysis of US weather data, the hurricane has been sweeping across the Caribbean, with winds of nearly 300 kilometers (185 miles per hour) recorded. This is the most powerful tropical storm this year globally, with winds of nearly 300 kilometers (185 miles per hour) recorded.

Through Wednesday, it is expected to weaken to a Category 4 storm and travel eastward toward Cuba. With reports on social media and state television showing buses taking people to shelters, preparations have already been made for the evacuation.

More than 600,000 people were being forced to leave coastal areas, including Santiago, the island’s second-largest city, according to officials. More than 200 000 people will be evacuated by authorities in Holguin, in eastern Cuba. From Banes, in the eastern town of Banes, a similar number of people are being evacuated to safety.

In a statement from Banes, deputy prime minister Eduardo Martnez said, “This phenomenon is very dangerous, where he is located in what appears to be a shelter. It is “unprecedented.”

Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin are the provinces that are currently under a hurricane warning, while Las Tunas are currently facing a tropical storm warning.

Parts of Cuba are expected to receive up to 51 centimeters (20 inches) of rain, along with a significant storm surge along the coast.

A tropical storm warning is still in effect for Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to Melissa’s continued drenching of the southern regions of the country.

By Wednesday evening, the hurricane was forecast to make its way northeastward from Cuba and hit the southeast of the Bahamas.

The storm has sped along at a slower rate than most people walk, cruising at 5 km/h (3 mph) before increasing to 7 km/h (4 mph) this morning.

This is particularly dangerous, according to meteorologists. According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter, “Slow-moving major hurricanes frequently go down in history as some of the deadliest and most destructive storms on record.”

After losing five of their sons as a result of Israel’s occupation of Gaza, Hammed and Rida Aliwa have accepted the responsibility of raising dozens of their grandchildren.