After Melissa leaves Jamaica, Cuba will be the next to be exposed to the wrath of a powerful hurricane. Landfall is expected early Wednesday morning, possibly several hours after midnight, but the effects are already beginning.
Heavy rain has fallen in Cuba and a tropical storm has reached some coastal areas. Hurricane-force winds will arrive late Tuesday and continue to blow through the night. These winds can generate life-threatening storm surges of up to 12 feet, especially near landfall. Storm surge is when wind pushes seawater onto the coast, causing dangerous flooding.
The center of Melissa could cross eastern Cuba early Wednesday and enter the Atlantic Ocean shortly after sunrise.
The hurricane is then expected to pass through the central and southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday. It could be a Category 3 or high-end Category 2 hurricane at the time. Melissa will once again bring heavy rain that could quickly cause flash flooding and landslides, as well as winds and dangerous storm surge.
Melissa will begin to pick up forward speed in earnest Wednesday evening and begin heading northeast. The hurricane could pass near Bermuda by Thursday night, quickly bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Flooding Rain: Parts of southeastern Cuba could see 20 to 30 inches of rain this week. This is more than enough to cause life-threatening flash floods and landslides.
Destructive winds: Melissa will have sustained winds of about 130 to 140 mph near its center at landfall, with higher gusts possible. Significant damage to buildings, trees, and power lines can occur.
Storm Surge: Melissa’s winds are expected to create storm surge of up to 12 feet along Cuba’s southeastern coast, especially later today and into Wednesday.
