Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a Category 5 storm as it draws closer to Jamaica, where forecasters say it will unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into the strongest possible storm category, five, as it heads towards Jamaica -- where it is expected to make landfall in the early hours of Tuesday. The authorities fear it could be the fiercest hurricane ever to hit the island.

Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with dangerous winds, storm surge and flash flooding expected in Jamaica, forecasters said.

Hurricane Melissa will hit Jamaica as a massive Category 5 storm, and dump huge amounts of rain. Climate change makes large, rainy storms more likely.

Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, is forecast to bring life-threatening winds, flooding and storm surge to Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 5 storm with winds of 175 mph, will slam into Jamaica as the worst storm the island has ever seen. Here is Melissa’s forecast path: The catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane-force winds will begin in Jamaica on Monday night.

Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 storm and is expected to produce catastrophic floods and heavy infrastructure damage in Jamaica. Flash floods are projected to sweep through Jamaica on Monday and into Tuesday with parts of the island expected to receive as much as 40 inches of rain,