Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica Hit by Category 5 Storm with 185 mph Winds
Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text,focusing on the hurricane’s impact and relief efforts:
Hurricane Impact:
* Severity: the hurricane is described as “unprecedented in its scale and ferocity,” with winds up to 180 mph.
* Affected Area: The area within 30-40 miles of the eye’s path has suffered “notable damage.” The western end of the island is hardest hit. Kingston, the capital, has been spared the worst.
* Damage: Roofs are being removed, and buildings (especially those not made of concrete) are significantly damaged.
* Slow Movement: The hurricane moved slowly across the island, prolonging the impact.
Relief & Coordination efforts:
* Command Center: A command center is being led by May. Gen. Antony Anderson (Ret.) from the U.S. Embassy in Washington, D.C.
* Coordination: The center is coordinating external support to jamaica, working with the National Emergency Operations center in Kingston (the main multiagency response center on the island).
* Dialog: Communication with Kingston is still functioning, which is crucial for coordination.
* Assistance Sources: Assistance is being coordinated from:
* The U.S. government
* U.S. state governments (offers have been received)
* Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with emergency response experience.
* The Jamaican diaspora in the U.S.
* Airport reopening: The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is projected to reopen thursday morning, which will be key for bringing in aid.
* Focus: The goal is to get aid from the U.S. to Jamaica efficiently and to those who need it most.
Initial Assessment:
* The speaker mentions waiting until “the back end of the area near to the eye has passed” before beginning a full assessment of the damage. This suggests the immediate priority is safety and initial response, with a more detailed evaluation to follow.