Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) reported that it continues with its temporary closure, as Hurricane Melissa passes through Jamaica, the strongest storm in the history of the Caribbean country.
The port facility called for taking the necessary precautions in the face of the phenomenon and communicated that “Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited remains temporarily closed for operations, while we continue to monitor the system, in consultation with the relevant authorities.”
“We will assess the conditions and advise on the resumption of operations as soon as it is safe to do so. We recommend that you stay tuned to official sources for the most accurate and timely updates,” stated the maritime facility.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in western Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28 as a powerful category 5 storm, recording maximum sustained winds of 295 kilometers per hour, in line with data provided by the United States National Hurricane Center, reported the Reuters agency.
The slow-moving storm is forecast to remain strong as it crosses the mountainous island, whose high communities are vulnerable to landslides and floods, while heading towards Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba.
The Miami-based hurricane center warned that a “total structural failure” was likely in Melissa’s path.
“The destruction could be unprecedented in Jamaica,” warned Alex DaSilva, lead hurricane expert at the US weather agency AccuWeather.
