Charleston, SC – Hurricane Melissa continues its path across the western Atlantic this morning, bringing damaging winds, flooding rains, and dangerous storm surge to parts of eastern Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5 a.m. advisory.
As of early Wednesday, Melissa was located near 20.3°N, 76.1°W with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, moving northeast at 12 mph. The hurricane’s core is crossing eastern Cuba and is expected to move over or near the central and southeastern Bahamas later today before passing near or west of Bermuda late Thursday into Thursday night.
Forecasters warn that hurricane-force winds (74+ mph) extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds (39+ mph) reach up to 160 miles. Life-threatening storm surge, flooding rainfall, and rough surf are ongoing across parts of Cuba and expected to expand into the Bahamas through Thursday.
The storm’s track keeps it well offshore from the U.S. East Coast, but swells generated by Melissa will likely cause dangerous rip currents and high surf along Atlantic beaches from Florida to the Carolinas later this week.
Residents in the Bahamas and Bermuda are urged to monitor official warnings and finalize storm preparations.
For official forecasts, visit hurricanes.gov or follow the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center for continuous updates.
