The hurricane watch for Jamaica was downgraded to a tropical storm watch yesterday, as Hurricane Matthew moved further and further east of Jamaica.
In what seemed like a waiting game, the weather system slowly made its way northward. At times it became stationary, at times not moving more than 6 miles per hour. Now, it has finally made landfall at the western tip of the Republic of Haiti, our neighbours to the northeast. Landfall was made at Les Anglais, at 7 am EDT.
#HurricaneMatthew made landfall in Haiti this morning. Will move to Cuba later today and Bahamas Wed. Let’s keep our neighbours in prayers pic.twitter.com/rev2qv8Ef9
— Julian Jay Robinson (@julianjay) October 4, 2016
Heavy rains are still expected in Jamaica as a result of the system, but we are past the worst. Western Haiti and eastern Cuba will bear the brunt of the storm, followed by Turks & Caicos (potentially) and of course, The Bahamas.
#Matthew made landfall near Les Anglais, Haiti at 7 am EDT. This is the first Category 4 #hurricane landfall in Haiti since Cleo in 1964. pic.twitter.com/0Ux7qriWBn
— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) October 4, 2016
The category 4 Hurricane Matthew is now packing winds of 145 mph and is the first major hurricane to make landfall in Haiti in 50 years.
Things are slowly going back into place in Jamaica. The Norman Manley International Airport will re-open at 12 noon today and the government has advised that all government offices should re-open today. JUTC and Jamaica Customs will also resume work. Schools will be evaluated to see if they can be ready for tomorrow (Wednesday). Some schools were used as emergency shelters.
Once again, Jamaica has dodged a major hurricane, by a whisker.
By a whisker .. pic.twitter.com/Ds8HPtF0dr
— Abka Fitz-Henley (@AbkaFitzHenley) October 4, 2016
