Melissa, a strong Category 5 hurricane, was within hours of landfall on the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica early Tuesday.

The storm has grown to one of the Atlantic's strongest on record, and is threatening to be the Atlantic's first Category 5 landfall since 2019.

Hurricane Melissa’s power, endurance and ability to overcome obstacles stunned meteorologists. Here’s what to know.

This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation! Take cover now!” the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Melissa pummeled areas of the Caribbean already vulnerable to landslides and flash flooding — made worse by decades of deforestation — with risks likely to continue for days, experts said

There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said.