ORLANDO, FL – Hurricane Melissa has delivered devastating impacts to Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas over the last few days, and now it’s finally moving out of the Caribbean.
As of Thursday, it was sitting about 500 miles off the Florida coastline, but it will keep churning up the ocean through the next few days. That, combined with a strong cold front boosting winds across Central Florida, means indirect impacts along our beaches are expected.
A high rip current risk remains in place through Friday and may be extended into the weekend. Boating conditions are poor, and it’s strongly discouraged to get in the water right now.
As of the 11 a.m. Thursday update, Melissa had sustained winds of 105 mph, higher gusts and was moving north-northeast at 24 mph. The storm’s wind field has grown —hurricane-force winds now stretch up to 75 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reach out about 220 miles.
Hurricane Melissa Wind Field (11 a.m.)
With rough seas and 3–5-foot surf, numerous life-threatening rip currents are expected.
Wave heights
Remember: rip currents often form on calm, sunny days. If you’re ever caught in one, don’t swim against it. Instead, stay calm and swim left or right along the shoreline to escape.
Coastal Impacts
[VIDEO BELOW: Melissa devastates Jamaica]
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