Hurricane Melissa targets Jamaica
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Hurricane Melissa is set to bring catastrophic winds, flooding and storm surge to Jamaica, forecasters have warned.
The center of Hurricane Charlie skirted the southern coast of Jamaica on the night of Aug. 17, 1951, before it made landfall early the next morning as a strong Category 3 storm, bringing destructive winds to the entirety of the island, according to the NHC. The strongest winds at Kingston were measured at 110 mph.
Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica early Tuesday, breaking records as the most powerful storm ever to hit the island. The most powerful before now was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which recorded winds of 130mph.
Melissa collided with Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, blowing 185 mph winds, and headed out to sea by evening after carving a path of destruction.
A cold front is expected to push through the area mid-week, bringing pleasant temperatures and zero rain chances for those planning to trick-or-treat.