KINGSTON, Jamaica — Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is bearing down on Jamaica with sustained winds reaching an astonishing 175 miles per hour and a central pressure of 901 millibars, making it one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded.

Satellite data and reconnaissance flights confirm that Melissa has intensified rapidly over warm Caribbean waters, with its massive eyewall now moving steadily toward Jamaica’s southern coast. The storm’s strength places it among the top-tier hurricanes in modern history, rivaling catastrophic systems such as Hurricane Wilma (2005) and Hurricane Dorian (2019).

The Jamaican Meteorological Service has issued a hurricane warning for the entire island, urging residents to complete all emergency preparations immediately. Officials warn of potentially devastating winds, life-threatening storm surge, and rainfall exceeding 20 inches in some regions, which could trigger severe flooding and landslides.

Authorities in Kingston and surrounding parishes have opened emergency shelters and mobilized response units as the outer rainbands begin lashing the island. Power outages have already been reported in parts of St. Elizabeth and Manchester parishes.

Meteorologists describe Melissa’s structure as “exceptionally organized,” with a well-defined eye surrounded by intense convection. Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center caution that the storm could bring catastrophic damage if its eye crosses directly over Jamaica.

As the nation braces for impact, emergency services and defense forces remain on high alert. The storm’s trajectory suggests it may continue westward into the Caribbean, potentially threatening the Cayman Islands and parts of Central America in the days ahead.