Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica as ‘Catastrophic’ Category 5 Storm. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph (282 kph), began battering Jamaica on Monday, threatening the island with unprecedented destruction. The U.S. National Hurricane Center called Melissa “catastrophic” — the strongest classification — as it tracks toward Jamaica, eastern Cuba, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos this week. Forecasters said the storm’s slow movement over warm Caribbean waters has fueled its power, with Jamaica facing winds above 100 mph and up to three feet of rain. Prime Minister Andrew Holness ordered mandatory evacuations in southern Jamaica, including Port Royal, and warned of damage to farmlands, homes, and major infrastructure. Despite evacuation orders, many residents hesitated to leave their homes over fears of looting, with around 28,000 people expected to be relocated. Meteorologists say Melissa could be the largest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica directly, surpassing the devastation of 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert. Neighboring Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already seen torrential rainfall and flooding, with at least four deaths reported. Cuba evacuated more than 500,000 residents from vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas, while schools and transport in eastern provinces were suspended. Experts warn Melissa could become one of the most destructive storms in Caribbean history, with long-term isolation and severe infrastructure damage likely in affected areas. [Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT]