Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm as of the most recent update from the NHC, with maximum sustained wind gusts reaching 175 mph. The storm is barreling toward Jamaica, where catastrophic, life-threatening damage is expected, as landfall in the Caribbean island nation is forecast for Tuesday.

Hurricane Hunters were forced to cut short their reconnaissance mission into the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Monday morning, Oct. 27.

Staffing cuts and a federal government shutdown are stretching scientists’ ability to make valuable hurricane observations.

How is Jamaica doing? Hurricane Melissa's Category 5 landfall left "total devsatation" in the western region. See hurricane damage photos and live cams.

The rapidly intensifying Category 5 storm is threatening the northern Caribbean with torrential rain, deadly flooding and widespread power outages.

The prime minister ordered mandatory evacuations as officials braced for tens of thousands to be displaced. Three people were killed and 13 others injured during preparations for the storm, the health minister said.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba overnight after battering Jamaica as one of the most powerful landfalling storms in Atlantic basin history.

The death toll from Hurricane Melissa is growing as the powerful storm nears the Bahamas after leaving a trail of “catastrophic” destruction across Jamaica and parts of Cuba.Authorities in Haiti said that at least 25 people,