Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Approaches Jamaica with Catastrophic Intensity

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 280 km/h, is intensifying as it approaches Jamaica and Cuba, with a hurricane warning in effect for Jamaica. The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the "Hurricane Hunters," has been flying into the eye of the storm to monitor its development, capturing rare footage and data including extreme turbulence and a gust of 241 mph. Satellite images show Melissa's nearly perfect cyclone structure, and the storm's outer bands have caused heavy rainfall and flooding risks, particularly in Jamaica where catastrophic winds and flash floods are expected. In Cuba, especially Santiago de Cuba, the storm's approach is marked by dark skies, violent seas, and increasing winds damaging trees and power lines, causing widespread anxiety. Additionally, an unusual phenomenon was observed with tens of thousands of birds trapped in the eye of the hurricane, highlighting the storm’s severity and its impact on wildlife. The hurricane is expected to make landfall in Jamaica soon, bringing life-threatening conditions and significant challenges for the region.