Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with destructive winds, storm surge, and catastrophic flooding expected to intensify in Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean,

Tropical Storm Melissa has become a hurricane and is expected to strengthen into at least Category 4 intensity, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. The rapidly intensifying storm is expected to wreak havoc across the Caribbean with catastrophic floods,

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

Jamaica faces damaging winds and heavy rainfall Sunday and Monday that could trigger catastrophic and life-threatening flash floods and landslides.

Forecasters are warning residents of Jamaica to "seek shelter now," as Melissa, a Category 4 hurricane, is making its way toward the Caribbean island nation Sunday night.