Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever to strike the Caribbean, is about to make landfall near Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, bringing catastrophic winds and torrential rainfall to the island’s south coast.

According to meteorological reports issued at 11 a.m., the Category 5 hurricane was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour as its eyewall moved ashore. The storm’s forward speed has increased slightly to about 9 mph — a small but critical improvement that may lessen the duration of its most destructive conditions.

While southern parishes including St. Elizabeth, Manchester, and Clarendon are expected to bear the brunt of Melissa’s fury, forecasters say there is some relief for the capital region.

Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica’s most densely populated areas, are projected to escape the storm’s most intense core, though they will still experience hurricane-force winds and flooding rains.

Authorities continue to warn of life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, and widespread power outages across the island. Residents are being urged to remain indoors and away from coastal areas as conditions rapidly deteriorate.

Melissa is expected to continue moving northeast across Jamaica throughout the day before heading toward southeastern Cuba by early Wednesday.