Hurricane Melissa Intensifies: Evacuations Underway at Guantánamo Bay
As Hurricane Melissa intensifies, preparations are underway at Guantánamo Bay to evacuate non-mission-essential U.S. citizens.
What they’re saying:
“Non-mission-essential U.S. citizens will be moving off the island as early as Saturday afternoon and no later than Sunday morning,” The Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, posted on Facebook.
RELATED: Hurricane Melissa sees extreme rapid intensification as Jamaica braces for extensive infrastructural damage
“Please prepare your belongings. Ensure you have two weeks’ worth of clothing and medication (as required). Personnel will be notified. Each individual will be allowed one 40-pound bag and a carry-on item. Stand by for more directions on when your zone will be called to the Windjammer to get orders. If you are traveling with a pet, please have your orders in hand prior to visiting the Veterinary Clinic. Stay connected to social media for more information, listen to the giant voice, and stay safe.”
An aerial view of part of the Guantanamo Base Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, can be seen in this 16 January 2002 photo. (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The Latest on Hurricane Melissa
Why you should care:
Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The weather agency added Melissa is likely to reach the southern coast of Jamaica as a major hurricane late Monday or Tuesday morning, and urged people on the island to seek shelter immediately.
“Conditions (in Jamaica) are going to go down rapidly today,” Jamie Rhome, the center’s deputy director, said on Sunday. “Be ready to ride this out for several days.”
Melissa was centered about 110 miles (180 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 280 miles (445 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba, on Sunday morning. It had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph) and was moving west at 3 mph (5 kph), the hurricane center said.
Melissa was expected to drop torrential rains of up to 30 inches (760 millimeters) on Jamaica and southern Hispaniola — Haiti and the Dominican Republic — according to the hurricane center. Some areas may see as much as 40 inches (1,010 millimeters) of rain.
It also warned that extensive damage to infrastructure, power and communication outages, and the isolation of communities in Jamaica were to be expected.
Melissa should be near or over Cuba by late Tuesday, where it could bring up to 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain, before moving toward the Bahamas later Wednesday.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Sunday that the hurricane watch for Cuba could be upgraded to a warning later on Sunday.
Impact on the Region
The hurricane is expected to have a significant impact on the region, with torrential rains and strong winds causing widespread damage and disruption. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has warned of catastrophic flooding, power outages, and communication disruptions, and has urged people in the affected areas to seek shelter immediately.
Preparations and Evacuations
Preparations are underway at Guantánamo Bay to evacuate non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, with the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, posting on Facebook that personnel will be notified and each individual will be allowed one 40-pound bag and a carry-on item. The station has also urged people to stay connected to social media for more information and to listen to the giant voice for updates.
The Source: The information in this story comes from an official Facebook post by Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, announcing evacuation plans for non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, and from updates issued by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Conclusion
Hurricane Melissa is a powerful and potentially catastrophic storm that is expected to have a significant impact on the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has warned of torrential rains, strong winds, and widespread damage, and has urged people in the affected areas to seek shelter immediately. Preparations are underway at Guantánamo Bay to evacuate non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, and the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has posted updates on Facebook urging people to stay connected to social media for more information and to listen to the giant voice for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of Hurricane Melissa?
A: Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night.
Q: Where is Hurricane Melissa expected to make landfall?
A: Melissa is expected to reach the southern coast of Jamaica as a major hurricane late Monday or Tuesday morning.
Q: What is the expected impact of Hurricane Melissa on the region?
A: The hurricane is expected to bring torrential rains, strong winds, and widespread damage, with catastrophic flooding, power outages, and communication disruptions expected in Jamaica and other affected areas.
Q: Are evacuations underway at Guantánamo Bay?
A: Yes, preparations are underway at Guantánamo Bay to evacuate non-mission-essential U.S. citizens, with the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, posting on Facebook that personnel will be notified and each individual will be allowed one 40-pound bag and a carry-on item.
