The US Hurricane Center – NOAA reports that a Hurricane Warning is in effect for Southeastern and Central Bahama. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Turks and Caicos Islands. In the Bahamas, residents should remain sheltered.
On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this afternoon and evening and pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible today into tomorrow with little change in strength thereafter. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km).
Over the Southeast Bahamas, storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches are expected today, which will result in areas of flash flooding. For the Turks and Caicos rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected. Heavy rain may begin to affect Bermuda on Thursday or Thursday night.
Rainfall has diminished across Jamaica. However, additional scattered showers are possible with additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches. This will bring storm total amounts to 12 to 24 inches, with isolated areas of 30 inches possible over mountainous terrain. Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides will continue today and into tonight.
Storm surge of 4 to 7 ft above normally dry ground is possible in the southeastern Bahamas today, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today. Minor coastal flooding is possible in bays and inlets along the north coast of eastern Cuba and minor coastal flooding is expected along the coast of Haiti.
Swells generated by Melissa will continue to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, the Cayman Islands during the next day or so, and now affecting the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and will spread toward Bermuda later this week,causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
It is strongly recommended that you constantly consult NOAA and local weather bureaus’ bulletins and follow all safety instructions issued by the relevant local authorities. The Consulate General in Miami is keeping in close contact with the Honorary Consulates of Italy in Kingston and Nassau, monitoring the evolution of the situation. Please also keep up to date through our social media, on which we repost NOAA alerts, warnings and alerts, and download the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Viaggiare Sicuri app (by activating its geolocation).
The Consulate General of Italy in Miami can be contacted for emergencies involving Italian citizens at the following number: (001) 305 -753 -0532.
