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Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm of the year, is hours away from hitting Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane.
Winds could reach 175mph (282km/h) and up to 30 inches (76cm) of rain may fall, bringing catastrophic flooding and destruction.
Three people have already died and 15 were injured while preparing for the storm. The government has ordered evacuations from low-lying areas and closed schools and airports.
Reporters in Kingston describe heavy rain and strong gusts, but say the worst is still to come.
Many residents have chosen to stay home to protect their property, even though experts warn that “nothing is built to withstand category five winds.”
The UN’s International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday that it is dispatching solar lamps, blankets, indoor tents, generators and other items from its logistics hub in Barbados to Jamaica soon as the storm crosses the island.
“Many people are likely to be displaced from their homes and in urgent need of shelter and relief,” Natasha Greaves, interim head for IOM Jamaica, said.
Source: BBC
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