Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm and is expected to cause catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage when it makes land later today.
The hurricane is packing sustained winds of 280 km/h as it barrels toward Jamaica’s south-central coast. Forecasters warn the storm could be the strongest in the island’s recorded history, surpassing even Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.
Up to 40 inches of rain is expected in some areas, with storm surges threatening coastal communities. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft was forced to abort its mission due to severe turbulence inside the storm’s eyewall.
Melissa has already claimed six lives across the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged citizens to seek shelter. “I have been on my knees in prayer” he told the Daily Mail.
Thousands have already evacuated and emergency shelters are filling up as residents brace for impact.
The storm is forecast to more on to strike Cuba and continue toward the Bahamas.
