Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica as Historic Category 5 Storm

Category Five Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica with sustained winds of 185 mph.

Melissa has become one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history. The National Hurricane Center confirmed the Category 5 storm struck the island and is warning of catastrophic winds and flooding.

“This is the storm of the century,” a UN agency warned, as officials urged residents to shelter in place. Jamaica has never before endured a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane, according to the UN.

At least seven hurricane-related deaths have been reported across the Caribbean so far, including three in Jamaica during storm preparations, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

In Haiti, thousands displaced by gang violence now face flooded makeshift shelters.

The storm is expected to hit Cuba next and bring severe weather to the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Bahamian authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in low-lying islands. The Disaster Risk Management Authority warned that “assistance will not be available until the All-Clear is issued.” Melissa is expected to bring hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall to the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.