Hurricane Melissa reached Category 4 status with maximum sustained winds of up to 220 km/h and is expected to strengthen as it heads toward Jamaica, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Sunday.

According to official information, a hurricane of this category is a serious weather threat, where It is expected to cause extreme damage, with partial collapse of roofs and walls, severe damage to coastal buildings and significant flooding in flat areas below three meters above sea level.

Given the danger, Jamaican authorities warned on Sunday that some communities may not survive the “catastrophic” flash flooding while announcing the closure of both international airports and the activation of 881 shelters across the country.

“Satellite imagery indicates that maximum sustained winds have rapidly increased to near 220 km/h (140 mph) with higher gusts,” the NHC bulletin reported on Sunday. “Continued rapid intensification is expected through tonight, followed by fluctuating intensity.”

“Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday and in southeastern Cuba late Tuesday,” the advisory states.

Melissa could become a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds up to 165 mph (257 km/h), before making landfall. The hurricane could be the strongest to hit Jamaica in more than 35 years, since Category 4 Hurricane Gilbert hit the island in 1988.

The hurricane is expected to move southeastern Cuba late Tuesday and southeastern Bahamas Wednesday, the NHC said.

In Jamaica, officials are maintaining evacuation advisories for some areas, but a mandatory evacuation order is being evaluated.

Some residents, however, decided to stay, and officials said some refused to board evacuation. buses.

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