Hurricane Matthew is predicted to be one of the strongest hurricanes in the Atlantic in years, with devastating impact for Jamaica, Haiti and possibly Cuba. The heavy storm has so far affected parts of Jamaica, but further damage is expected as the hurricane moves north. High waves combined with excessive rainfall, hurricane-force winds and storm surges could cause extensive damage, primarily in coastal areas. The Governments of Jamaica and Haiti have issued warnings, urging populations to evacuate the risk zones.

United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams have arrived in Jamaica and Haiti and are supporting national efforts. The National Emergency Operations Centres (COE) are active in countries including Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica.

The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is closely monitoring the situation, with regional and global resources ready to deploy. An initial information-sharing call will be held at 13:00UTC on Tuesday 4 October. Organisations preparding for an IT response in the region are invited to participate. 

See: OCHA Hurricane Matthew Situation Report #1