Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin. Melissa made landfall Tuesday afternoon in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph,

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 made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm -- making it the strongest storm ever recorded to hit the island with winds up to 185 mph and up to 40 inches of rain expected.

The US National Hurricane Centre warns of an "extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation" as the violent category five storm hits the island.

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, which is now a Category 4 hurricane, is bringing catastrophic winds, rain and storm surge to Jamaica, where residents and tourists are sheltering in place. The center of Melissa is now moving off the northwest coast of Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds currently at 145 mph.

Up to 40 inches of rain, 13 feet of storm surge and 160 mph sustained winds will cause “extensive infrastructure damage” that will cut off communities, the National Hurricane Center warned. Melissa has already killed three people in Haiti and Jamaica each and one person in the Dominican Republic.