The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a dire warning as Hurricane Melissa now a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h), approaches Jamaica, threatening to unleash catastrophic and life-threatening winds, flooding, and storm surge across the island tonight and into early Tuesday.

At 11:00 a.m. Monday, Melissa was located near latitude 16.4°N, longitude 78.2°W, about 145 miles southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west at a slow 3 mph (6 km/h).

The system is expected to turn northward later today, cross Jamaica tonight, southeastern Cuba by Tuesday night, and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

The NHC warns that total structural failure is likely within the eyewall, especially in higher-elevation areas where wind speeds could be 30 percent stronger. Tropical-storm conditions are already occurring in Jamaica, with hurricane-force winds expected to intensify tonight.

Forecasters predict rainfall totals between 15 and 30 inches, with isolated maxima reaching 40 inches, capable of causing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides. The south coast faces a life-threatening storm surge of 9 to 13 feet, accompanied by large, destructive waves.

Eastern Cuba is expected to experience 15 to 20 inches of rain and hurricane-force winds by Tuesday evening, particularly across the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Holguín, which remain under a Hurricane Warning.

The Southeastern and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are under a Hurricane Watch, with potential storm surge heights of 4 to 6 feet expected by Wednesday. Authorities warn residents to prepare immediately for possible hurricane conditions.

Swells generated by Melissa are already affecting Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands, and are forecast to reach the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Bermuda later this week, creating life-threatening surf and rip currents.

The storm’s central pressure is an extraordinarily low 908 mb (26.82 inches), signaling an exceptionally intense system.

The NHC cautions that while minor fluctuations in strength are possible, Melissa will remain an extremely powerful major hurricane through its passage over Jamaica and eastern Cuba.

Officials urge all residents in the warning areas to complete final preparations immediately. “Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight, anyone in coastal or low-lying areas should move to higher ground now,” the NHC warned.