Hurricane Matthew: The Strongest Atlantic Hurricane Brings Life-Threatening Flash Floods, Mudslides

One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes, Matthew, is heading towards Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba on Sunday. The Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds is expected to bring heavy rains, flash floods and mudslides.

The National Weather Service stated that the rainfall will produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. They advise people to prepare to protect life and property.

View from my house #HurricaneMatthew #Jamaica #kingston  @MikeSpearsNBC6 @cnni pic.twitter.com/TZegkDRYGL

— Ren (@RenRickhi) October 2, 2016

According to USA Today, Matthew became Category 5 on Friday, which made it the strongest hurricane in nearly a decade. It is spotted early on Sunday 295 miles southeast of Jamaica and heading towards the west at 3 mph and eastern Cuba early on Monday. The forecaster said that the storm was expected to remain powerful and perilous until Tuesday.

CNN reports that Matthew could be disastrous for Haiti, as the country is still recovering from 2010 earthquake that killed over 200,000 people and from the cholera outbreak that killed 10,000 people. Keddy Moise, a physician, and researcher said that water systems are at risk as hurricane and months of work fighting cholera could be lost.

CNN's Patrick Oppman also said that the hurricane could be vicious for Cuba. The country might not withstand the storm because of their structurally unsound houses. Oppman was struck by people living in houses that look like they are hundreds of years old. The wooden roofs could be blown away by a heavy storm.

The National Weather Service said that it is too early to know if hurricane Matthew will directly impact the U.S. but it will be closely monitored. Meanwhile, the United States is evacuating 700 employees and their families including their pets from the naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on Sunday. They will aboard military planes from the base to cities in Florida.

Also, the US State Department called for a travel warning on Sunday and urging citizens in Haiti to evacuate quickly. "We recommend U.S. citizens depart Haiti if possible and work with commercial air carriers to leave prior to the arrival of the hurricane. Airports will close once conditions deteriorate and safe travel is not possible."