"Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 storm Monday as it drew closer to Jamaica, where forecasters expected it to unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage. At that strength, it would be the strongest hurricane to hit the island since record-keeping began in 1851. Blamed for six deaths in the northern Caribbean as it headed toward the island, Melissa was on track to make landfall Tuesday in Jamaica before coming ashore in Cuba later in the day and then heading toward the Bahamas."
"Hanna Mcleod, a 23-year-old hotel receptionist in the Jamaican capital of Kingston, said she boarded up the windows at her home, where her husband and brother are staying. She stocked up on canned corned beef and mackerel and left candles and flashlights throughout the house."
Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 as it approached Jamaica, posing a threat of catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage and becoming the strongest storm to threaten the island since 1851. The storm was blamed for six deaths in the northern Caribbean and was expected to make landfall in Jamaica, then move on to Cuba and the Bahamas; it was not expected to affect the United States. Officials warned of a storm surge up to 13 feet along coastal Kingston, endangering airports and power plants. Slow storm movement increases flooding risk and could prompt international humanitarian assistance.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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