Latest from the National Hurricane Center on Hurricane Melissa (Wednesday Morning Update)

Radar and satellite data show that Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Santiago de Cuba, east of Chivirico, around 3:10 AM EDT with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (105 kt).
The storm has since weakened slightly to 115 mph (100 kt) as it moves inland over eastern Cuba, bringing damaging winds, torrential rainfall, and life-threatening flooding.

Current Movement: Northeast at 10 mph
Forecast Track:
• Crossing eastern Cuba this morning
• Moving into the southeastern and central Bahamas later today
• Passing west of Bermuda late Thursday into Thursday night

While gradual weakening is expected, Melissa is forecast to remain a strong hurricane through the Bahamas and likely stay at hurricane strength near Bermuda before transitioning into an extratropical system by Friday night or early Saturday.

Key Impacts:
• Jamaica: Use caution with generators and cleanup equipment, and avoid flooded areas.
• Haiti and the Dominican Republic: Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are likely, with widespread damage and isolated communities expected.
• Eastern Cuba: Life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging hurricane winds are ongoing.
• Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos: Hurricane conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge are expected throughout the day.
• Bermuda: Hurricane conditions and heavy rainfall are possible beginning Thursday night.

Stay tuned for updates from the National Hurricane Center as Melissa continues to move northeast through the western Atlantic.