分类： world

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa, initially a formidable storm, has weakened to a Category 4 hurricane shortly after making landfall in Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center reported that as of 2:00 pm, the storm’s center was positioned near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 77.7 West. Melissa is currently advancing north-northeast at approximately 8 mph (13 km/h).

Meteorologists predict a shift toward the northeast with increased speed by Tuesday evening, accelerating further on Wednesday and Thursday. The storm’s core is expected to depart western Jamaica by Tuesday evening, subsequently traversing southeastern Cuba late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Melissa is then forecasted to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, potentially approaching Bermuda by Thursday night.

With maximum sustained winds nearing 145 mph (230 km/h) and higher gusts, Melissa remains a significant threat. It is anticipated to reach southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane and could maintain this intensity as it progresses through the southeastern Bahamas. NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft are scheduled to conduct investigations into Melissa on Tuesday evening.

Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach up to 195 miles (315 km). The estimated minimum central pressure stands at 921 mb (27.20 inches). Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory and intensity closely, urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has unleashed its fury on Jamaica, making landfall in the island’s southwest region early Tuesday morning. As the storm traversed the island, its ferocity became increasingly evident, particularly in eastern parishes such as Kingston, where winds intensified significantly. By Tuesday evening, downtown Kingston bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact, with powerful waves inundating the shoreline and uprooted trees littering the streets. The hurricane, which initially struck around 11 a.m., is projected to move offshore by late Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as the storm’s aftermath continues to unfold.

As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, begins to recede from Jamaica, residents are warned to remain vigilant against persistent hazardous conditions. Rohan Brown, a representative from the Meteorological Service, emphasized during a press briefing that damaging hurricane-force winds are expected to persist, particularly in regions such as St James, Trelawny, sections of St Ann, and Hanover. The remainder of the island is forecasted to experience tropical storm-force winds and gusts. Additionally, scattered showers, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are anticipated in St James, Hanover, St Elizabeth, and parts of St Ann, while other areas may encounter light to moderate showers accompanied by strong gusty winds. Coastal areas are not spared, with rough seas and dangerous waves predicted along the south coast, and a storm surge of two to four feet expected on the North Coast. Although the eye of Hurricane Melissa was projected to move offshore by 5:00 pm, Brown cautioned that the storm’s eyewall and spiral bands would continue to bring heavy winds and scattered showers as the hurricane progresses.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Jamaica as its eye began impacting the island at 11:00 am. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the storm’s core officially made landfall at 12:02 pm in New Hope, Westmoreland, with staggering wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. The hurricane has triggered widespread devastation, particularly along the island’s south coast, with severe flooding and significant property damage reported in St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, and St James. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to remain indoors as the situation is anticipated to deteriorate further. Emergency response teams are on high alert, but the extreme weather conditions are hampering rescue and relief efforts.

As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, approached Jamaica, the residents of Priory in St Ann were already grappling with its early impacts. Evadney Mills, a local resident, shared her ordeal with Observer Online, revealing that her son’s roof had been torn off by the storm’s fierce winds on Monday night. Mills was en route to a hardware store to purchase zinc for urgent repairs, stopping briefly at a gas station to refuel. The Boot gas station in Mamee Bay, St Ann, became a temporary refuge for many preparing for the storm’s full force. Mills described the weather conditions as increasingly severe, with strong winds and heavy waves battering the area. Despite the visible damage, including fallen trees and scattered debris, Mills expressed gratitude for their safety. A large tree near a busy roundabout in St Ann had partially collapsed, though the road remained passable. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued continuous warnings, urging residents to prepare for sustained winds, torrential rainfall, and potential flooding as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.

In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics campaign, US forces have killed 14 individuals in strikes targeting four suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday. This brings the total death toll from Washington’s operations to at least 57 since early September. The latest strikes, conducted on Monday in international waters, mark the deadliest single-day toll in the campaign so far. Hegseth stated that the vessels were identified by intelligence as transporting narcotics along known trafficking routes. A sole survivor was reported, with Mexican authorities taking responsibility for coordinating the rescue. The Pentagon released video footage of the strikes, which included two stationary boats and two others speeding across open water. Despite the US claims, experts argue that such strikes are illegal, even if targeting known traffickers, and Washington has yet to provide concrete evidence of drug smuggling. The US has significantly bolstered its military presence in Latin America, deploying seven Navy warships, F-35 stealth warplanes, and the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the region. This buildup has sparked regional tensions, with Venezuela accusing the US of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa hinted at the possibility of hosting a foreign military base in the Galapagos Islands, potentially involving the US, to combat drug trafficking and illegal fishing.