Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified Monday into a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds reaching 160 mph as it barreled toward Jamaica.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa is expected to pass near or over Jamaica as a major hurricane early Tuesday morning before striking Cuba later that night. The slow-moving storm could dump up to 30 inches across much of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, with isolated areas seeing as much as 40 inches.
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"Do not venture out of your safe shelter," the NHC said Monday as the storm approached Jamaica. "Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely today through Tuesday. Catastrophic winds in the eyewall have the potential to cause total structural failure especially in higher elevation areas tonight and early Tuesday."
"This will result in extensive infrastructural damage, long-lasting power and communication outages, and isolated communities," the agency added. "Life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected along the southern coast through Tuesday."
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Forecasters said life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are also expected Monday in eastern Cuba. Similar conditions are expected across much of southwestern Haiti and southern portions of the Dominican Republic in the coming days.
"In Haiti, extensive infrastructural damage and isolation of communities is likely," the NHC said. "Tropical storm conditions are expected late Tuesday and Wednesday."
Residents in southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos have been advised to monitor the storm closely as life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall are possible on Wednesday.
"Residents should follow advice given by local officials and be sure to have preparations complete by Tuesday night," the NHC said.
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
