Cuba is staring down a direct hit from Melissa. Here’s what to expect

(CNN) — After Melissa moves away from Jamaica, Cuba is next in line for the powerful hurricane’s fury. Landfall is expected very early Wednesday morning, likely a couple hours after midnight, but impacts have already begun.

Heavy rain is falling in Cuba with tropical storm-force winds reaching some coastal areas. Hurricane-force winds arrive late Tuesday and continue overnight. These winds will also generate up to 12 feet of life-threatening storm surge, especially around landfall — storm surge is where the winds push ocean water on shore, causing dangerous flooding.

The center of Melissa will track across eastern Cuba early Wednesday morning and enter the Atlantic Ocean likely just after sunrise.

The hurricane will then move through the central and southeastern Bahamas Wednesday. It co