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 made landfall in south-western Jamaica as the strongest storm to ever hit the Caribbean nation in modern history The storm has weakened to a category four with wind speeds of 145mph (230km/h),

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

Melissa was on track to make landfall on Jamaica on Tuesday and then Cuba later in the day before heading toward the Bahamas.

An intensifying Melissa is expected to bring destructive flooding to Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic before tracking toward Cuba next week.

The storm's slow movement is expected to bring a deluge of rain to multiple countries in the Caribbean, and prolong its dangerous impacts over a period of several days.

Forecasters say Melissa will unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage in Jamaica. At Category 5, the system would be the strongest hurricane to hit the island since record-keeping began in 1851.