Powerful Hurricane Melissa is battering Jamaica with catastrophic 185 mph winds, life‑threatening storm surge and heavy rain, the National Hurricane Center warned, urging residents to take cover immediately. Forecast to be the island’s first Category 5 landfall, Melissa could dump 15–30 inches of rain—up to 40 in spots—and drive a surge up to 13 feet along the south coast before shifting toward southeastern Cuba. By Tuesday morning, the eye was about 40 miles southeast of Negril. At least seven deaths across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica during preparations, were reported as flooding, landslides and eyewall winds spread.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.