Hurricane Melissa live: ‘Catastrophic’ category 5 storm barrels towards Jamaica, Cuba and Bahamas

“Catastrophic” flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely when Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

The warning was echoed by Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council: “I want to urge Jamaicans to take this seriously. Do not gamble with Melissa. It’s not a safe bet.”

Melissa could be the strongest hurricane Jamaica has experienced in decades, said Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica’s meteorological service.

In addition to the rainfall, Melissa is likely to cause a life-threatening storm surge on Jamaica’s southern coast, peaking around 13ft above ground level, the US centre said. 

“Don’t make foolish decisions,” warned Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s transport minister. 

“We are in a very, very serious time over the next few days.”