The Bahamas braces for Hurricane Melissa

in the Turks and Caicos Islands

As Jamaica bravely begins the road to recovery from the most powerful hurricane to have ever struck this territory, The Bahamas is now bracing for its arrival today.

Hurricane Melissa—although it has significantly weakened from the 185 miles per hour winds with which it struck Jamaica only yesterday then Cuba soon afterwards—is now making its way on a northeasterly trajectory towards Central and Southeast Bahamas—where it is expected to make its third landfall.

Alert #23 issued today from the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority) in the Bahamas warned that “Melissa is now off the east coast of Cuba and moving into the Southeast Bahamas, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous storm surge.”

The official alert said that a Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Central & Southeast Bahamas, while a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for the Turks & Caicos Islands, which will likely be impacted by Melissa’s less powerful bands.

“Strongest impacts expected across Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Rum Cay, Samana Cay & San Salvador this afternoon as the core passes near the Crooked Island Passage,” the alert added.

Residents of those areas were advised to remain indoors and stay tuned for official updates via

:Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority) & Get Ready

For official updates for the Turks and Caicos Islands, visit:The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies.

Praying for everyone’s safety and full restoration!

JAMAICA BEGINS RECOVERY

Senator Dr. Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, indicated today that approximately 77% of the country remained without electricity, and over 70 of the island’s 700 water systems were down, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Restoration efforts had begun with utility and communication providers working to reconnect affected communities.

Although an all-clear had been issued for Jamaica, the country was still not out of the woods just yet. Principal Director at the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Mr. Evan Thompson, announced that a Flash Flood Watch was in effect for northern, southwestern, and south-central parishes. He noted that additional rainfall could lead to localized flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. (Catch the full briefing here.)

NOTE

JAMAICA HAS LAUNCHED ITS RECOVERY EFFORTS. An official government portal, SUPPORT JAMAICA, is receiving pledges and donations to aid Jamaica’s recovery.