Evacuations are in place for parts of Cuba, especially vulnerable areas including nearby dams and in flood zones, as well as in mountainous regions that are susceptible to landslides. Hurricane Melissa is heading north towards Cuba and is expected to hit it within the next five hours roughly.

Hurricane Melissa is barrelling towards Cuba after leaving a trail of destruction in Jamaica, though the full extent of its impact remains unclear. The storm has strengthened back up to Category 4. Follow the latest below.

After grinding across the eastern end of Cuba, forecasters expect Melissa to gear up for a third landfall in as many days, this time on the central and southeastern Bahamas as a Category 2. It could bring up to 10 inches of rain and 5 to 8 feet of storm surge, enough to cause flash flooding and power outages on the islands.

In the last 25 years, a total of 10 major hurricanes have lashed the island. “Cuba is right in the center of things,” a weather historian said.

Hurricane Melissa was regaining strength Tuesday night as it was taking aim at Cuba after battering Jamaica throughout the day, forecasters said.

Melissa is now centered off the northern coast of Jamaica after barreling ashore as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history. Follow for live updates.

No deaths have been reported since Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica but winds, floods and landslides have caused extensive damage across multiple parishes

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 storm as it moves swiftly across the Caribbean Sea toward eastern Cuba, the US National Hurricane

Hurricane Melissa is expected to hit eastern Cuba after passing Jamaica. NBC News’ Ed Augustin reports on how the island is dealing with power cuts, food shortages and an outbreak of tropical diseases as the storm approaches.