Hurricane Melissa now expected to make landfall in Westmoreland

Hurricane Melissa is now expected to make landfall in eastern Westmoreland amid a slight shift in its projected path, head of Jamaica's Meteorological Service, Evan Thompson, has indicated.

Thompson, who was speaking at a press briefing at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management's (ODPEM) emergency centre on Monday, said the system is expected to hit Jamaica at Category 5 and move northward, exiting in the northeast in St Ann.

"Early, I was telling you that it would make landfall in Clarendon. Later, I was saying it would have been in St Elizabeth. It's not that anything was wrong with what was being said, but there are updates to the forecast based on information that is gathered, and as the system moves closer -- as you are closer to impact -- the forecast gets more accurate.

"So, when I tell you that we are being hit by a hurricane, you know that it's accurate: we are being hit by a hurricane. At this time, I can only say that it is likely that we will be hit by this hurricane. It is moving closer to us. There is just a small window of opportunity where it could continue," said Thompson.

He said the hurricane is on a projected path to the southwestern part of Jamaica, impacting either eastern Westmoreland or the extreme western side of St Elizabeth as it makes landfall.

Thompson said the system is also expected to move across the Cockpit Country in Trelawny and St James.

He noted that while the hurricane's strength may decrease, preparation for a Category 5 system should be maintained.

"It is expected that that entry, that landfall, will take place early on Tuesday. That means within 24 hours. Tomorrow morning, it could actually be during the early hours before the sun," he said.

He added that tropical-storm-force winds will extend a much greater distance and should cover the entire island.

"So, if you think that you live in Kingston and you will not experience the eye, and therefore are free from fear or worry or concern -- not to encourage fear or worry -- I do expect you to be concerned about what is taking place. If you think that you are free from that, think again, because the heavy rains will also affect you, and the strong winds reaching tropical-storm force could still continue to affect you as we go through the day on Tuesday. That's all the way through tomorrow," he noted.

He said the exit of Melissa is likely to take place in the evening hours on Tuesday and is not expected to remain over the island until Wednesday, as there will be a slight increase in wind speed.

- Kimone Francis

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