Hurricane-Melissa-continues-its-devastating-sweep-through-the-Caribbean-region

Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path through the Caribbean region, threatening Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, which is divided between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where it has already caused the deaths of four people.

In the early hours of Sunday, the National Hurricane Center, based in Florida, classified Melissa as a “Category 3 hurricane” on a five-level scale, accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 120 km per hour.

Hurricane Melissa has caused the deaths of three people in Haiti and one person in the Dominican Republic, according to local authorities.

The Dominican Republic has declared a red alert in nine of its 31 provinces in anticipation of the risk of flash floods, torrents, and landslides.

Hurricane Melissa is currently advancing towards Jamaica, which it is expected to impact for several days before heading north and threatening Cuba.
A government agency in Jamaica reported on Saturday the closure of all seaports.

Heavy rains flooded many roads in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, as shown in images broadcast by local media.

Melissa is the thirteenth tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from early June to late November.

Jamaica

Jamaica is a Caribbean island nation with a rich cultural history shaped by its indigenous Taíno inhabitants, Spanish colonization in the 1494, and later British rule until its independence in 1962. It is globally renowned as the birthplace of reggae music and the Rastafari movement, alongside its iconic status for its vibrant arts, athletic prowess, and scenic landscapes of beaches and mountains.

Hispaniola

Hispaniola is a Caribbean island that was the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, founded by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It is now divided into two sovereign nations: the Dominican Republic and Haiti, whose shared history includes Spanish and French colonial rule.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It was the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, founded by Christopher Columbus in 1492, and served as the springboard for Spanish colonization of the region. Today, its culture reflects a rich fusion of Spanish, African, and Taino influences.

Haiti

Haiti is a Caribbean nation on the island of Hispaniola, sharing the island with the Dominican Republic. It was the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas and became the world’s first black-led republic after its slaves successfully revolted against French colonial rule, declaring independence in 1804. Its culture is a vibrant blend of African, French, and Taíno influences, famously expressed through its art, Vodou religion, and music.

Cuba

Cuba is a Caribbean island nation with a rich cultural history shaped by Spanish colonialism, the Atlantic slave trade, and its 1959 communist revolution. It is globally renowned for its historic Spanish colonial architecture in cities like Havana, its influential music such as salsa and son, and its classic American automobiles. The country’s recent history has been dominated by the revolutionary government of Fidel Castro and its complex relationship with the United States.

Kingston

Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica, founded in 1692 as a refuge for survivors of the nearby earthquake that destroyed the city of Port Royal. It became the island’s commercial capital in the 18th century and is now a major cultural hub, known as the birthplace of reggae music and home to the Bob Marley Museum.