Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica, where forecasters said it would unleash catastrophic flooding, multiple landslides and extensive infrastructure damage.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica. “Do not venture out of your safe shelter,” the National Hurricane Center warned.

Hurricane Melissa is edging towards Jamaica and set to make landfall as a historic Category 5 storm, with winds of over 160 mph. Jamaica is bracing for what the National Hurricane Center said would be catastrophic flash flooding and landslides caused by up to 40 inches of rain in some places.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches of rain and a life-threatening storm surge. Melissa is forecast to make landfall on the island Tuesday and cross Cuba and the Bahamas through Wednesday.

Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 4 hurricane heading towards Jamaica and Cuba and is expected to bring catastrophic floods, landslides and storm surges to the region, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday.

Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a Category 5 storm and is forecast to bring destructive winds and storm surge and "catastrophic flooding" to Jamaica through the day, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 4 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday (October 26), warning that catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are probable across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica.