Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 storm. See the latest update for Monday, Oct. 27. Melissa intensified into a hurricane on Saturday, Oct. 25, as it continued its slow slog across the Caribbean Sea.

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm due to warming oceans linked to climate change

Hurricane Melissa has intensified 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.

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.

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica - its most powerful storm since records began. The US National Hurricane Centre said the eye hit the southwest of the island with estimated maximum wind speeds close to three hundred kilometres an hour.