Hurricane Melissa H!ts Jamaica With V!olent Winds As Authorities Warn Of ‘Catastr0phic’ Flooding

Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica With Violent Winds As Authorities Warn Of ‘Catastrophic’ Flooding

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in south-western Jamaica as a category five storm with wind speeds of 185 mph (295 km/h), forecasters say

A Jamaican man earlier told BBC News “the winds are so strong you would not be able to stand up”, while a woman said “water is coming through my roof – I am not OK”

In an update to the country, Minister Desmond McKenzie urges residents to heed safety advice: “This is not the time to be brave… Don’t bet against Melissa – it is a bet we can’t win”

A third of the island is experiencing power cuts, says Energy Minister Daryl Vaz – while a forecaster warns things will get “significantly worse”