Matthew Would Be Strongest Hurricane in History to Make Landfall in Jamaica Says Meteorologist
Jamaicans are continuing to brace for Hurricane Matthew as the powerful storm approaches the island along its projected trajectory.
On Friday (September 30), Matthew rapidly increased in ferocity to became a rare category 5 hurricane.
Category 5 hurricanes are considered the most powerful with wind speeds in excess of 157 mph.
The storm has now weakened slightly to a category 4 with wind speeds of 155 mph and is expected to be at category 3 strength before impacting Jamaica between Sunday and Monday.
Matthew has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Gilbert, which in 1988 killed close to 50 people and resulted in widespread destruction across the island.
Gilbert made landfall first on the east coast of Jamaica at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 1988. It made landfall as a Category Three but later intensified to a Category Five.
Hurricane Matthew is the strongest in the Atlantic region since 2007.
According to meteorologist Eric Holthaus, “Should Matthew stay on its current projected path, it would be a near-worst-case scenario for Jamaica”.
He also says “No hurricane as strong as Matthew has ever made landfall in Jamaica in recorded history.
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