Hurricane Melissa lashed the coast of Jamaica, sending rough seas crashing ashore.

Footage shows violent coastal conditions as waves battered Bull Bay, St Thomas, on October 26.

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported that Melissa had intensified into a Category 5 storm, with winds reaching 175 mph, moving towards Jamaica, and carrying the potential for floods, landslides, and storm surges.

Melissa was forecast to make landfall in the country on Tuesday, then hit Cuba later in the day before moving towards the Bahamas.

Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, said that the southern coast faced the highest risk from storm surges.

Evacuation orders were already in place for flood-prone areas.

Evan said: 'If you are in a flood-prone, low-lying area, you need to take note. If you are near a river course or a gully, find an alternative location to move to should heavy rainfall threaten your area.'

Both international airports in Jamaica were closed on Sunday in preparation for the storm.

Local media said Hurricane Melissa had already killed at least six people across the Caribbean.