One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history weakened a little today as it roared across the Caribbean on a course that still puts Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba in the path of potentially-devastating winds and rain. Matthew briefly reached the top hurricane classification, category five, and was the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Felix in 2007. The US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said its winds had slipped to a still-devastating 155 mph and it was expected to reach the eastern part of Jamaica on Monday. Jamaicans began clearing out shop shelves as they stocked up on emergency supplies and prime minister Andrew Holness yesterday called an urgent meeting of Parliament to discuss preparations for the storm. "I left work to pick up a few items, candles, tinned stuff, bread," 41-year-old Angella Wage said at a crowded shop in the Half Way Tree area of the capital, Kingston. "We can never be too careful." Evan Thompson, director of Jamaica's National Meteorological Service, said the first effects of the storm may be felt as early as today. "We do consider it serious," Mr Thompson said. "We are all on high alert." Jamaicans are accustomed to intense tropical...
from timesofmalta.com http://ift.tt/2dzga3V
via
IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment