Jamaica Braces for Hurricane Melissa's Wrath

Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to potentially strike Jamaica in 174 years, threatens to unleash devastating effects as it approaches the island as a Category 5 hurricane.

Forecasters predict Melissa will enter Jamaica via St. Elizabeth parish in the south and exit near St. Ann parish in the north. The government warns of catastrophic damage with Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasizing the challenge of a swift recovery.

Meanwhile, preparations continue amid fears of landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages. Some hospitals have relocated patients to higher floors to mitigate storm surge impacts. The storm has already been linked to seven deaths across the Caribbean, intensifying fears in Jamaica and beyond.