#EyeOnMelissa: Flash flood watch in effect for several parishes
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for northern, southwestern and south-central parishes as additional rainfall could lead to localised flooding and landslides, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, according to the Meteorological Services of Jamaica.
However, the tropical storm warning in effect for Jamaica has been discontinued.
In its latest bulletin, the Met Service said the centre of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 20.6 degrees north, longitude 75.7 degrees west, which is about 220 km (140 miles) north-northeast of Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 miles per hour. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move offshore eastern Cuba on Wednesday morning.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 165 km/h (105 mph), with higher gusts. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas later Wednesday and passes near Bermuda on Thursday night.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 km (30 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 295 km (185 miles).
Doppler radar and satellite imagery indicate that rainbands associated with Hurricane Melissa continue to occasionally move across sections of Jamaica’s northern parishes, producing moderate to heavy rainfall. Light to moderate showers are also affecting other areas of the island, the Met Service said.
Hurricane Melissa is expected to produce additional rainfall over Jamaica on Wednesday. Amounts reaching 75-150 mm (3-6 inches), with higher totals over mountainous terrain, are possible. Further flash flooding and additional landslides could continue on Wednesday.
Although damaging winds are gradually subsiding across Jamaica, the Met Service said periods of tropical-storm-force winds may still affect sections of northern parishes, while strong, gusty winds are likely to continue over some southern areas.
Large waves are also expected along the coastal areas of the island on Wednesday. Small craft operators are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution, as sea conditions will deteriorate in strong gusty winds, showers and thunderstorms.
