tag

Hurricane Melissa picked up strength as it bore down on Cuba, where it is expected to make landfall Wednesday after carving a path of destruction through Jamaica as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record there, lashing the island nation with brutal winds and torrential rain. The monster storm was still 110 miles (175 kilometers) away from Guantanamo late Tuesday but was “re-strengthening” to a Category 4 hurricane “as it approaches eastern Cuba,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory. The storm took hours to pass over Jamaica — a crossing that weakened its winds, dropping them to Category 3 strength from the maximum level 5 — before intensifying again. “Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it moves across Cuba, the Bahamas, and near Bermuda,” the NHC said, adding that the storm is forecast to make landfall in Cuba “as an extremely dangerous major hurricane in the next few hours.” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a “disaster area,” and authorities urged residents to remain sheltered amid continued risks of flooding and landslides, as dangerous weather persisted even after the hurricane’s core moved on. Lisa Sangster, a 30-year-old communications specialist in Kingston, said her home was devastated by the storm. “My sister explained that parts of our roof were blown off and other parts caved in, and the entire house was flooded,” she told AFP. “Outside structures like our outdoor kitchen, dog kennel, and animal pens were also gone — destroyed.” The full scale of Melissa’s damage in Jamaica was not yet clear; a comprehensive assessment could take days. Much of the island remained without power, and communications networks were badly disrupted. At its peak, the storm packed ferocious sustained winds of 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). Immediate details regarding casualties were not available. Government minister Desmond McKenzie said several hospitals had been damaged, including those in Saint Elizabeth, a coastal district he said was “underwater.” “The damage to Saint Elizabeth is extensive, based on what we have seen,” he told a briefing. “Saint Elizabeth is the breadbasket of the country, and it has taken a beating. The entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa.” The hurricane was the strongest ever to strike Jamaica, hitting land with maximum wind speeds surpassing even some of recent history’s most destructive storms, including 2005’s Katrina, which devastated New Orleans. **media[374802]** Severely Damaged Infrastructure Even before Melissa slammed into Jamaica, seven deaths — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic — had been attributed to the worsening conditions. Jamaica’s climate change minister told CNN that Melissa’s impact was “catastrophic,” citing flooded homes and “severely damaged public infrastructure” and hospitals. Mathue Tapper, 31, told AFP from Kingston that those in the capital were “lucky” but feared for fellow Jamaicans in the island’s rural areas. “My heart goes out to the folks living on the western end of the island,” he said. Climate Change Impact **media[374801]** Broad scientific consensus holds that human-driven climate change is responsible for the intensification of storms like Melissa, which are becoming increasingly frequent and bring greater potential for destruction and deadly flooding. Melissa lingered over Jamaica long enough that the rainfall was particularly devastating. “Human-caused climate change is making all of the worst aspects of Hurricane Melissa even worse,” said climate scientist Daniel Gilford. The Jamaican Red Cross, which was distributing drinking water and hygiene kits ahead of infrastructure disruptions, said Melissa’s “slow nature” exacerbated anxiety among residents. The UN is planning an airlift of some 2,000 relief kits to Jamaica from a relief supply station in Barbados once air travel resumes. Assistance is also planned for other affected countries, including Cuba and Haiti, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists. Jamaican officials said around 25,000 tourists were in the country, famed for its normally crystalline waters.

Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic this week, as its outer bands brought heavy rains and landslides. The storm is moving at a worryingly slow pace -- just 6km an hour -- which has meteorologists concerned that it will dump punishing rains on countries in its path for far longer than a storm that passes by more quickly. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Melissa was packing maximum winds of about 225 kilometers per hour -- and would likely intensify into a top-level category 5 storm later Sunday. Up to 40 inches (about a meter) of rainfall could hit parts of Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, sparking flash flooding and more landslides. "This extreme rainfall potential, owing to the slow motion, is going to create a catastrophic event here for Jamaica," NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said in a webcast briefing. "You need to just be wherever you're going to be and be ready to ride this out for several days," Rhome said. "Conditions will deteriorate really, really rapidly here in the next few hours. Don't be out and about after sunset." A 79-year-old man was found dead in the Dominican Republic after being swept away in a stream, local officials said Saturday. A 13-year-old boy was missing. In neighboring Haiti, the civil protection agency reported the deaths of three people caused by storm conditions. "You feel powerless, unable to do anything, just run away and leave everything behind," Angelita Francisco, a 66-year-old homemaker who fled her neighborhood in the Dominican Republic, told AFP through tears. Floodwater had inundated her house, causing her refrigerator to float away as trash bobbed around the home. "Seek shelter now," the NHC advised residents of Jamaica. "Damaging winds and heavy rainfall today and on Monday will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides before the strongest winds arrive." The international airport in Kingston closed late Saturday to incoming and departing flights, Jamaican Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness advised fishermen to "remain in safe harbor." The Jamaica Information Service, a government agency, said Saturday that all seaports had been closed. Melissa was expected to make landfall in Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday, and then again in southeastern Cuba. At 1500 GMT, the hurricane was located about 110 miles south of Kingston and 280 miles south-southwest of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Dominican Republic's emergency operations center has placed nine of 31 provinces on red alert due to risk of flash floods, rising rivers and landslides. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from early June to late November. The last major hurricane to impact Jamaica was Beryl in early July 2024 -- an abnormally strong storm for the time of year. Beryl brought downpours and strong winds to Jamaica as it moved past the island's southern coast, leaving at least four people dead.

The United States finished the world championships in style as Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed memorable individual weeks by helping their country to emphatic golds in both 4x100m relays in driving rain Sunday.Jefferson-Wooden became the second woman to sweep all three sprint titles at one World Athletics Championships.The 24-year-old, who won the 100-200m double in Tokyo, helped the United States to a lead at the last exchange and Sha'Carri Richardson brought the baton home in 41.75 seconds."I did what I wanted to do individually, and then came back together with my girls, my training partners, and we were all able to walk away with the gold," said Jefferson-Wooden."It's crazy to be going home with three gold medals. I added my name to the history books once again. I am right where I want to be."Jamaica finished second in 41.79 to send sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, whose 2013 sweep Jefferson-Wooden emulated, into retirement with a 17th world championship medal."I'm grateful for the opportunity that I got once more to represent my country and to walk away with a silver medal," said the 38-year-old, who won 10 world and three Olympic sprint titles over her glittering career."I'm excited to have done it with a young team that is coming up, and I'm hoping that I would have done my part to just add some inspiration or some outlook for them."Germany came third in 41.87 for bronze on the back of a blistering final leg from Gina Lueckenkemper to see off Britain, who finished fourth in 42.07.In the men's race, the final track event of what has been a fantastic nine days of action, the U.S. were slick in their handovers despite the testing conditions.Kenny Bednarek got a gold to cheer him up after yet another silver in the 200m, but it was Lyles taking the spotlight again as he brought them home in 37.29 for his second gold after he won a fourth successive 200 following his bronze in the 100."We all know we are the fastest. We just had to get the baton from start to finish," Lyles said."I saw the lead we had and it was a kind of a relief as everybody did such a great job. I just had to finish the race. They made it easy for me. I could not have asked for a better relay."Fast-finishing Canada took silver in 37.55, with the Netherlands delighted to take bronze in a national record 37.81.With the men's discus outstanding, due to rain delays, the U.S. sit top of the medal table with 16 gold, five silver and five bronze. Kenya are second with seven golds, while a record 50 countries have won a medal.

There must be something special about the Japanese air for American sprinters as Noah Lyles and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden swept the 200 metres world titles in Tokyo, emulating Tyson Gay and Allyson Felix in Osaka 18 years ago. Rai Benjamin's win in the men's 400m hurdles – adding the world title to the Olympic gold he won last year – made it a special night for track and field powerhouse United States.Lyles had to battle to get his head in front, but the showman with the dyed-blond locks managed it handsomely and secured a fourth successive 200m crown to emulate Usain Bolt. For the 28-year-old, who raised his arms to the heavens and then let out a mighty roar when his name was announced before the start, his feelings were the polar opposite to how he felt after winning Olympic bronze in Tokyo in 2021."At that time I was depressed, but this time I am energised," said Lyles, who went over and hugged his mum Keisha Caine Bishop. "My face is blasted all over Tokyo. This is amazing and such a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever."In contrast 100m champion Jefferson-Wooden coasted to victory, becoming the first double champion since another Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in Moscow in 2013. "I am now looking forward to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics," the 24-year-old said. "I definitely put a target on my back."The women's 400m hurdles race lacked the drama of the men's – it was already without its superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who had instead swept to an imperious victory in the flat 400m on Thursday – with Femke Bol of the Netherlands retaining the title. Bol can only beat what is in front of her and she did that with aplomb as the Dutchwoman blazed home in 51.54sec, ahead of American Jasmine Jones and Slovakia's Emma Zapletalova. "This means the world to me," said the 25-year-old. "At these world championships I had to keep my title. I am proud of myself and my team for doing it."Bol admitted that Olympic champion and world record holder McLaughlin-Levrone probably would have beaten her. The race was notable for the absence of McLaughlin-Levrone, who chose not to compete in the hurdles in the Japanese capital so she could concentrate on the 400m flat race."I most likely wouldn't be here with the gold medal but I really love to race her," said Bol. "She's the best athlete to ever do it in my event so I would have loved to do it, but I also love to see her do so well in the 400 metres."Bol's win marked the end of another successful season after completing an incredible sixth Diamond League campaign unbeaten. But she has not fared as well in her infrequent match-ups with McLaughlin-Levrone, who beat her into third place on the way to gold at last year's Paris Olympics. Bol's first world title, in Budapest two years ago, also came without having to beat McLaughlin-Levrone, who missed the competition through injury.McLaughlin-Levrone hinted on Thursday that she could attempt a remarkable 400m hurdles-flat double at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bol said she would "love to see her do both". "If she feels physically ready for that, that would be amazing to see because I think if someone could pull it off, it would be her," she said.If anything the most drama occurred in a sandpit involving a hop, skip and a jump – the men's triple jump final. Italy's Andrea Dallavalle livened up a competition that had not really caught fire by snatching the lead with his sixth and final effort – a personal best of 17.64 metres.However, Portugal's long-time leader Pedro Pichardo reacted in the best possible way and with the last jump of the final, 17.91m, he regained the lead and won gold -- in the same stadium where he won the Olympic title four years ago.Four years ago Norway were on a crest of an Olympic wave in track and field as Karsten Warholm and Jakob Ingebrigtsen won gold. Warholm broke the 400m hurdles world record that scorching hot day in Tokyo, and his celebration was one of the iconic moments of those Games.On Friday he was far from his best, hitting the third hurdle, and slumped to the ground at the finish, putting his hand to his face. Ingebrigtsen won the 1,500m Olympic title in 2021, but only sneaked into 5,000m final by the skin of his teeth."I am not myself," he said. "I don't have any idea what I am going to do in the final. I will try my best. Can it be a medal for Norway? I don't know, maybe. We will see."

Oblique Seville and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden recorded their first major victories in winning the men's and women's 100m world titles Sunday, making it honours even between sprint powerhouses Jamaica and the United States.It was a good night in Tokyo for the Americans as two of their outstanding field athletes, Olympic champions Tara Davis-Woodhall and Valarie Allman, won the women's long jump and discus respectively.For Allman it filled a yawning space in her burgeoning medals cabinet -- a world title.There was a once-in-a-blue-moon ending in the men's 10,000m as Europe got the better of the cream of African distance running -- France's Jimmy Gressier took the honours.It was a first victory over the distance for a European since Somalia-born Briton Mo Farah in 2017 - he also won in 2013 and 2015. Italian Alberto Cova won the event at the inaugural edition of the worlds in 1983.Seville secured Jamaica's first men's world 100m title in 10 years leading home a Jamaican 1-2. The onwatching Usain Bolt did the sprint double at the 2015 worlds in Beijing.As Seville ripped his vest in celebration, teammate Kishane Thompson, who had to settle for silver as he did at the Olympics last year, embraced him.Olympic and defending world champion Noah Lyles was third.Seville had finished fourth in the two previous world finals but the 24-year-old said he had always retained belief in himself even if others had not."A lot of people are saying that I am panicking (in the last two finals). I don't know what they are talking about," he said."But I have proved myself that I am a champion and I hope that they can see that Oblique Seville is actually competitive and a warrior."Jefferson-Wooden succeeded her training partner Sha'Carri Richardson as world champion -- the latter finished fifth.Jefferson-Wooden -- who took bronze in the Olympic final last year behind Julien Alfred, who could only finish third on Sunday -- timed a new championship record of 10.61sec.The 24-year-old and Richardson are coached by the controversial former sprinter Dennis Mitchell, who served a doping ban as an athlete.Jefferson-Wooden said it had taken her some time to learn how to cope with the stresses and strains at major championships."I have been dreaming of this moment," she added."Instead of putting the pressure on myself and taking it as something overwhelming, I was just embracing it."That (change) was worth the gold medal tonight."She will bid to achieve the sprint double in the 200m later in the championships.'Felt incomplete'The race may be recalled in the years to come as the last individual global final contested by 38-year-old Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished sixth.She said: "It's a surreal moment to know that 18 years ago I started as an athlete that wasn't sure what I wanted to do or who I was, and to be here in this moment continuing... to push the limits and finish on your own terms."Allman, twice a minor medallist at the worlds stamped her authority on the other finalists from the first throw of 67.63 metres and rammed home her superiority home in the fifth round with 69.48m.The former dancer raised her arms in celebration once victory was confirmed, and ran with a beaming smile to her coach in the stands."I didn''t realise before how much I wanted to become the world champion," she said."There was a part of me that felt incomplete."Allman, who took silver two years ago and bronze in 2022, conceded she had felt the pressure keenly going in to the final."The nerves hit me but now everything has fallen off my shoulders," she said."I keep looking at this medal and can''t believe it's real."Davis-Woodhall followed up Olympic gold with a long jump world title, outclassing the field with a leap of 7.13m.Gressier, 28, was like a terrier snapping at the heels of the Ethiopians on the final lap and the 28-year-old's final bite was the killer blow."This is a child's dream come true," he said.