Hurricane Elsa threatens Haiti, a country on maximum alert

(ANSA) - PORT-AU-PRINCE, 03 JUL - Hurricane Elsa hit the Caribbean this morning, accompanied by strong winds, and threatens further devastation in Haiti, whose scarce resources have already been mobilized to face a war between criminal gangs.

    First hurricane of the season in the Atlantic, Elsa, rated 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which has 5, eased slightly last night, with gusts up to 120km / h. At 8 a.m. (2 p.m. in Italy) it was above the island of Hispaniola, divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was heading northwest, according to the National Hurricane Center.

    According to forecasts, "Elsa will approach the southern coast of Hispaniola today and during the night, then on Sunday she will hit Jamaica and parts of eastern Cuba", which will be almost totally uninhabited on Monday.

   The hurricane could raise sea levels up to 1.5 meters south of Cuba, about 1.2 meters on the Hispaniola coast, and just under a meter near Jamaica.

    Haitian authorities have raised the alert to the highest level across the country, predicting strong gusts of wind, floods and landslides. There are fears that Haiti could run out of resources, water and food, as relief supplies have been used for thousands of people displaced by gang violence. (HANDLE).