Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a powerful category 5 hurricane on Monday, threatening days of catastrophic winds and rain in the northern Caribbean.
Jamaica’s government ordered mandatory evacuations for vulnerable areas across the country including in the capital, Kingston.
Jamaican officials had earlier urged those in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek refuge as Melissa rapidly climbs up the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.
During a press conference in Kingston on Sunday, Jamaican authorities said both international airports were closed and 881 shelters had been activated.
“Many of these communities will not survive the flooding,” said Desmond McKenzie, the minister of local go
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