'Extremely dangerous' storm heads toward Cuba after battering Jamaica

The State Department has received a formal request from Jamaica to assist people affected by Hurricane Melissa and is working with the government accordingly, a State Department spokesperson said.

The State Department declined to say whether a Disaster Assistance Response Team had been deployed in advance of the Category 5 storm to help prestage U.S. aid or preposition to assist U.S. citizens. The spokesperson also declined to provide an official estimate as to how many U.S. citizens are currently in Jamaica. 

“U.S. citizens are not required to register their travel to a foreign country with us, so we cannot track with fidelity how many Americans are residing in or visiting a particular country at a particular time,” the spokesperson said.

Two U.S. officials say there are thousands of American tourists who are visiting Jamaica, most of them on the western shorelines that are most impacted by the hurricane.

China’s ambassador to Cuba posted a video on X showing the transportation of hundreds of boxes of what he called “family kits,” along with pictures of their contents: footwear, toothbrushes, forks, spoons, bowls, umbrellas and thermal blankets, among others.

“The damage is expected to be considerable,” Hua Xin wrote.

The products were pre-positioned in eastern Cuba ahead of the hurricane and were delivered by the Chinese Red Cross to its Cuban counterpart.

The most powerful hurricane to strike Jamaica directly before Melissa, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, caused an estimated $10 billion in damage to the region overall, the U.S. Hurricane Center said in a report.

That includes damage to Mexico and other areas that were hit, but it underscores the high cost of extreme weather events like a Category 5 hurricane.

Gilbert made landfall in Jamaica on Sept. 12, 1988, as a Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds — although it later strengthened to Category 5 before it hit Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

The storm resulted in 319 deaths. Most were from flooding in Mexico, according to the NHC report, which was a review of the weather event. The storm later hit the Brownsville, Texas, area.

Authorities in Cuba have planned to move half a million people to safer ground as the country prepares for an overnight landfall by Melissa, a spokesperson for the U.N. said today.

In Haiti, the World Food Program has pre-positioned more than 800,000 metric tons of food to assist around 86,000 people for two weeks in the impoverished nation, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at a briefing.

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to move over southeastern Cuba "in the next few hours," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Haiti tonight and tomorrow.

The storm is now a Category 4 hurricane, and it is expected to reach Cuba as “an extremely dangerous major hurricane,” the NHC said.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in a national address that the hurricane could be the strongest to ever pass through the nation’s territory, The Associated Press reported.

Melissa once again strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches Cuba for a landfall that was forecast to happen in the "next few hours," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said at 11 p.m. ET.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph — up from 125 mph earlier in the night — and its center was about 110 miles southwest of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the NHC said in a bulletin. It was moving northeast at 9 mph.

The core of the hurricane is expected to move over eastern Cuba tonight or tomorrow morning, the NHC said.

In addition to the damaging winds, it could bring 10 to 20 inches of rain, with local areas getting up to 25 inches over mountainous terrain, the agency said.

The Miami Heat has donated $1 million to the humanitarian organization Direct Relief to assist with Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, the NBA said in a statement.

The donation is being made in partnership with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and Carnival Corporation & plc. The three organizations have given more than $17 million to Direct Relief’s crisis response since 2013.

“In Florida, we are all too familiar with the widespread devastation caused by a Category 5 storm,” Eric Woolworth, president of the Heat Group’s business operations, said in a statement. “Direct Relief provides life-saving and ongoing assistance, which is so critical as residents begin the long road to rebuilding their communities.”

A spokesperson for the nonprofit group told The Associated Press, "Direct Relief will help sustain healthcare access after the storm and support Jamaica health facilities, many of which are in coastal and low-lying areas.”

There has been extensive damage and flooding in St. Elizabeth Parish in the southwestern part of the country, a government official said after Melissa tore across the island.

“What I can tell you: The Parish of St. Elizabeth is underwater,” said Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development. “The damage to St. Elizabeth is extensive, based on what we have seen.”

The border of the parish is just east of New Hope, which is where the Category 5 storm made landfall around 1 p.m. ET today.

Seventy-five patients were moved to safety from a hospital in Black River after the facility lost power and there was roof damage, and 50 patients in an infirmary in Santa Cruz, where there was flooding, were being relocated to a different part of the facility, he said.

Over 530,000 Jamaicans were without power following Hurricane Melissa as of 4 p.m., the country’s minister of local government and community development said.

The number of those without power are up around 77% of Jamaica Public Service Company customers islandwide, Desmond McKenzie said at a news conference.

“Work is presently on the way to restore our service, to give priorities to the critical facilities such as hospitals and water and pumping stations, weather permitting,” McKenzie said.

Around 15,000 Jamaicans went to shelters bthe hurricane, he said.

Hurricane Melissa has gone out to sea after having carved a swath through Jamaica and is headed toward Cuba, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said at 8 p.m. ET.

The storm was a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds, and its center was around 160 miles southwest of Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the NHC said. It was moving north-northeast at 8 mph.

The weather agency said it is still a powerful hurricane that threatens to bring up to 20 inches of rain and damaging winds to the eastern part of Cuba.

Hurricane conditions are expected in parts of Cuba tonight through tomorrow morning, and tropical storm conditions are forecast for Haiti.

“Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across Cuba, the Bahamas, and near Bermuda,” the NHC said.

03:46

Strong, whipping winds are expected to continue across Jamaica throughout the night. 

And because so many roads are impassable, damage assessment was only just beginning this evening after a devastating direct hit from Melissa.

The monster storm unleashed raging floodwaters and a life-threatening surge. Hundreds of thousands are without power, and 25,000 tourists were stranded after flights were canceled.

Jamaica’s minister of local government and community development said the country has gone through one of its most devastating times.

“Jamaica has gone through what I can call one of its worst experiences,” Desmond McKenzie said. “Our infrastructure has been severely compromised.”

“St. Elizabeth is the breadbasket of the country, and that has taken a beating. The entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa,” he said.

The hurricane made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds around 1 p.m. ET, and it traveled north over the country before it left the island.

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he received a message from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the storm.

Jamaica’s government intends to launch a relief and recovery effort as soon as it is safe to do so, Holness said in a remote video interview with NBC News this evening.

“Secretary of State and the President of the United States have always been good to us, and we’ve always been good and strong partners with the United States,” Holness said.

“So we’re confident that whatever assistance they can render, whatever assistance we deem necessary, there will be a great effort to have that fulfilled,” he said.

At least two hospitals in Jamaica have been damaged from the storm, officials said.

The Black River Hospital in Saint Elizabeth, which is a mountainous area, was reported to be without power, and a section of its roof is damaged, officials said this evening.

'The damage is significant': Jamaican PM gives update on state of country

09:15

Jamaica has “suffered a major impact” from powerful Hurricane Melissa, the country’s prime minister said today.

At least two or three hospitals have been severely damaged, and housing is expected to have been “severely impacted” in the path of the storm, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told NBC News.

While there is a sense of the damage, the true scope won’t be known until the storm passes, he said.

“So far, we have not had confirmed reports of any deaths, but again, it’s too soon to say that there are not any deaths,” Holness said.

Three people died before the hurricane hit in accidents while they were making preparations for the storm’s impact, officials have said.

The hurricane made landfall on the southwestern part of Jamaica and moved north, Holness said.

“The picture right now suggests that damage within the corridor of impact is significant,” he said.

“In the areas that have been impacted, at least two or three hospitals have been severely damaged,” he said.

There's been an impact on road infrastructure. "We have seen landslides and rivers retaking their original courses and destroying property along their banks. And of course, the loss of roofs off housing,” he said.

Donna Lee Gordon, a U.S. tourist visiting Jamaica, spoke with NBC News’ Kate Snow about her experience sheltering from Hurricane Melissa in Kingston. 

02:56

Flying into the eye of Hurricane Melissa was oddly "peaceful" despite knowing there was chaos all around, said storm chaser Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist at MyRadar.

Cappucci joined NOAA on a hurricane-hunting flight this week and described it as an unreal experience.

"It was what I would say as sinisterly serene," Cappucci said. "In that you're in the eye — this oasis of calm at the middle of an atmospheric whirlpool — buzz saw winds all around you, only 5 miles away in any direction. And yet, where I was, I could see the stars twinkling overhead, the winds were calm, the air was clear."

‘Sinisterly serene’: Storm chaser describes flying into eye of Hurricane Melissa 

02:18

Jamaica’s South East Regional Health Authority today warned residents to beware of crocodiles that could seek drier ground because of flooding from the hurricane.

Residents are being urged “to exercise extreme caution” because heavy rain and floods can displace crocodiles. The animals will search for dry ground if their environments are flooded, the agency said in warnings on social media.

The agency serves Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine and St. Thomas parishes.

Hurricane Melissa by 4 p.m. ET had weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm, although forecasters warn it remains powerful and life-threatening.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph as it moved over Jamaica, causing what the U.S. National Hurricane Center described as catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surge.

"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation!" the NHC warned.

"Do not leave your shelter as the eye passes over, as winds will quickly, and rapidly increase on the other side of the eye. Residents should remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions," it said in a 4 p.m. ET bulletin.

The storm had been at Category 5 with winds of 185 mph when it made landfall near New Hope around 1 p.m. ET.

It’s one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin, the NHC said.

Video shared on social media showed a roof being ripped off a home in Black River.

The person shot the video as torrential rain fell and winds bent nearby trees nearly parallel to the ground.

The founder of Grey Bull Rescue told NBC News NOW in an interview that he was "preparing for the worst" as his group waits to help evacuate Americans from Jamaica.

"There's going to be lots of people that sheltered in their homes, and their homes aren't there anymore," Bryan Stern said. "We're going to find lots of people in compromised structures."

Stern called Melissa a "hurricane on steroids" and raised concerns about the building codes in Jamaica compared with the United States.

"Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton put Tampa on its heels, and that was a barely Category 4 hurricane in a place that is not an island, with a lot of really good infrastructure and lots of resources," he said, referring to two hurricanes that struck Florida last year. "A Cat 5 comparatively in Jamaica is going to be extremely severe."

03:05

The eye of Hurricane Melissa was over western Jamaica as of 2 p.m. ET and moving northeast, officials said.

The National Hurricane Center said in an update that the core of Melissa will cross western Jamaica in the next few hours and then move back into the Caribbean Sea.

The center is then expected to move across southeastern Cuba early tomorrow and move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later in the day, according to the NHC.

A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, today. Ricardo Makyn / AFP - Getty Images

Melissa will weaken while its center is over Jamaica, the NHC added, but it will still be considered "an extremely dangerous major hurricane" when it hits Cuba and the Bahamas.

Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said today that its services will be free in Jamaica and the Bahamas through the end of November.

"For those impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the Bahamas, Starlink service is now free through the end of November to help with response and recovery efforts," the company said on X, one of Musk's other companies.

As of this morning, roughly a third of Jamaica's population was without electricity, according to officials.

Melissa is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record — and the strongest to ever hit Jamaica.

It is ranked first in terms of the strongest landfall with winds of 185 mph — tied with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Melissa has the second-highest wind speed recorded for an Atlantic hurricane, at 185 mph — tied with four other hurricanes. Only Hurricane Allen of 1980 had stronger winds, of 190 mph.

It has the third-lowest pressure recorded for an Atlantic hurricane at 892 mb — tied with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

A partly collapsed structure today as Hurricane Melissa approaches in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. Octavio Jones / Reuters

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to move through Jamaica and hit Cuba as a Category 4 storm, straining the already struggling country.

Cubans have faced food shortages as the island's economic crisis continues in the wake of tightened U.S. sanctions. Crumbling infrastructure is another concern for Cuba, where a total blackout hit residents just a month ago.

Many have been evacuated on the east side of the island and taken to higher ground.

Melissa to hit Cuba as it deals with power, food and disease issues

02:53

Those in Kingston are close to the hurricane's path but fortunately do not face the most severe effects now that Hurricane Melissa has made landfall on the opposite side of the island.

Officials still urged residents in Kingston to hunker down as they face storm-force winds and the threat of dangerous storm surge. Conditions in Kingston are still very scary despite how far away the city is from the eye of the storm.

Some Jamaicans initially hoped Melissa might move to avoid a direct hit, but many now fear it could rip the island apart.

Storm surge a concern in Kingston as Hurricane Melissa strikes Jamaica

03:29

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the southwest coast of the island as a Category 5 storm, becoming one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to make landfall in the Atlantic basin.

The National Hurricane Center said in an afternoon update today that Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with estimated maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.

"THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION!" the update said. "Do not leave your shelter as the eye passes over, as winds will quickly and rapidly increase on the other side of the eye."

The hurricane center added that residents should remain in place as these life-threatening conditions pass and "put as many walls as possible between you and the outside."

"An interior room without windows, ideally one where you can also avoid falling trees, is the safest place you can be in a building," the hurricane center said. "You can cover yourself with a mattress and wear a helmet for added protection."

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall as a Category 5 storm

03:19

Bahamian officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents living in several areas in the Caribbean nation.

The Disaster Risk Management Authority, the country's agency for managing natural disasters, said in an afternoon news release today that residents of Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Inagua, Mayaguana and Ragged Island should evacuate immediately.

"Residents of the islands listed in the official Evacuation Order are urged to evacuate immediately," the agency said. "If you choose not to evacuate, please note that assistance will not be available until the All-Clear is issued."

Low-lying roads have begun to flood in the hours before Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica.

Gullies and ravines meant to bring water back into the system have been cleared before the storm to help prevent excess flooding, but rain continues to pour over the island. Some homes have already seen the siding come off and fly along with other debris as the catastrophic winds approach.

Debris starts to fly as Hurricane Melissa fast approaches Jamaica

06:22

A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the "Hurricane Hunters," flies through the eye of Hurricane Melissa to collect data yesterday.

Satellites captured images of lightning flashes in the eye of Hurricane Melissa yesterday.

Adam and Jordan Simmons were supposed to be flying home from their honeymoon today, but are now sheltering with about 160 others at the Excellence Oyster Bay resort.

The couple told NBC News that the hotel staff has retrofitted two on-site restaurants into a shelter as they prepare for a potentially brutal hit at the location, which is outside of Montego Bay. They described the staff as "top-notch" in their communication with guests.

"The manager assured us that we wouldn't be in any danger in this and that we're as safe as possible," Jordan Simmons said, adding later that everyone seemed calm.

Adam Simmons said the general manager let them know they would experience impact as the hurricane got closer, but they were unlikely to hear anything. They also informed guests that power would be turned off due to fire hazards, but that the generators would kick in.

"We're just really concerned for the outside island of Jamaica," he said. "We just want everyone to keep them in their hearts and thoughts and be prepared to help with the devastation afterwards."

Couple on their honeymoon speak about sheltering in Jamaican resort during Hurricane Melissa

04:27

Jamaican local government and community development minister warned today that there is a "small window of opportunity" for people to seek shelter.

"This is not the time to be brave. I've been saying for one week," Desmond McKenzie said at a press conference. "Don't bet against Melissa. It is not a bet that we can win."

McKenzie estimated that 6,000 people are already in the island's shelters.

This morning's press conference was briefly interrupted by a short power outage.

Hurricane Melissa on Monday.  NOAA / CIRA

Melissa is expected to bring 20 to 30 inches of rainfall in the worst-affected areas of Jamaica, according to officials.

Other areas of the island are expected to receive 12 to 16 inches of rain, officials said at a press conference.

"You might be saying that this system doesn’t seem to be packing much of a punch, because what you’ve been experiencing outside doesn’t seem to be worthy of all the hurrah that we’re creating about the system," Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, said this morning. "But the truth is, it is still some distance away from the coast, expected to move closer and then move across the island, and that means that the impacts are going to be significantly greater than you’ve already been experiencing."

Thompson said Melissa is expected to cause flooding, landslides and storm surge as high as 13 feet.

Waves splash today in Kingston, Jamaica. Matias Delacroix / AP

More than 240,000 customers in Jamaica, or 35% of Jamaica Public Service customers, are currently without power as of this morning, Jamaican Energy, Telecommunications & Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said at a press conference.

Jamaica’s tourism officials issued a statement to reassure the island's visitors that many resources have been dedicated to their safety.

The Tourism Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and is operating 24 hours a day as a central hub for the hurricane response. Jamaica's Tourist Board is in "constant contact" with hotels and transportation providers, according to Tourism Director Donovan White.

"We are also keeping our international offices and partners updated to provide reassurance for families and travelers abroad," White said.

Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s minister of education, said at a press conference on Tuesday morning that about 25,000 tourists are in the country.

Hotel staff removes a damaged gutter from the roof of AC Hotel Kingston in Jamaica today. Octavio Jones / Reuters

Jamaican officials confirmed that Melissa is expected to be a Category 5 hurricane when it makes landfall in the coming hours.

"That means it will cause catastrophic damage, life-threatening damage," Evan Thompson, principal director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, said at a press conference this morning. "There is very little that can stop a Category 5 hurricane and regardless of where you are."

‘Little that can stop a Category 5’: Jamaican officials warn to seek shelter

01:06

In its 10 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center warned that Melissa is continuing to strengthen as catastrophic winds hit southern Jamaica.

The agency urged people to take cover in an adequate shelter, advising them to put as many walls as possible between themselves and the outdoors. An interior room without a window that could avoid falling trees was ideal, the agency said.

"This is the last chance to protect your life," it wrote on X.

Melissa's rapid intensification was driven by climate change, according to a nonprofit organization of climate scientists and journalists.

From Saturday to Sunday, Melissa reached Category 4 strength, with winds of 140 mph — an increase of about 70 mph in just 24 hours, Climate Central said in a blog post. The storm strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane yesterday.

Climate Central said Melissa "drifted slowly over exceptionally warm ocean waters that were 1.4°C (2.5°F) warmer than average — these conditions were made up to 700 times more likely because of human-caused climate change."

Sandbags at the doors of AC Hotel Kingston in Jamaica today. Octavio Jones / Reuters

The nonprofit added that "these unusually warm ocean temperatures, combined with overall tropical climate warming, are projected to have strengthened Melissa’s top wind speed by about 10 mph, and increased its potential damages by up to 50%."

World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides food in disaster-torn areas, said it is in Jamaica ahead of Melissa making landfall later today.

"WCK has already mobilized, pre-deploying teams to assist in recovery efforts," said Samantha, a WCK team member in Jamaica, according to a release from the organization. "We’re coordinating with local restaurant partners to ensure they can serve meals once the hurricane passes."

It was not clear exactly when WCK will be ready to serve meals.

This marks the second time WCK has responded to a hurricane in Jamaica, the organization said. It was on the island last year during Hurricane Beryl, and it said it served more than 43,000 meals.

Peak storm surge heights are expected to be 9 to 13 feet above ground level near and to the east of where the center of Hurricane Melissa is expected to hit Jamaica.

On the northwest coast of the island nation — near Montego Bay — there is the possibility of 2 to 4 feet of storm surge above ground level.

Beyond Jamaica, peak storm surge heights could reach up to 11 feet above normal tide levels along the southeast coast of Cuba today or tomorrow. In the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands, there is a possibility of storm surge reaching up to 6 feet above normally dry ground.

A man walks along the coastline in Kingston, Jamaica, today.  Matias Delacroix / AP

Melissa is expected to make landfall within the coming hours, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET.

Landfall is most likely to occur between Black River and Treasure Beach. When it makes landfall, it will be the first Category 5 hurricane to strike Jamaica in the island nation's history. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above ground level near and to the east of the landfall area.

A person braves heavy winds today in Kingston, Jamaica. Matias Delacroix / AP

American Peter Kong and his family are hunkered down in their hotel room in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa approaches. Stocked up on food and water, Kong spoke to NBC News’ Joe Fryer and Savannah Sellers about his current situation and said he and his family are bracing for the worst.

American stranded in Jamaica describes 'nerve-wracking' situation awaiting Hurricane Melissa

02:46

The eye of the "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Melissa is about 55 miles south-southeast of Negril, Jamaica, as it slowly moves closer to making landfall at 7 mph. It is expected to turn northeast and accelerate more quickly later today, according to an 8 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Melissa is pushing maximum sustained winds of 175 mph and is expected to make landfall in Jamaica "during the next several hours," according to the agency. Hurricane-force winds extend 30 miles from the center of the storm.

Palm trees sway ahead of Hurricane Melissa's landfall in Kingston today. Octavio Jones / Reuters

The storm will continue faster to the northeast in the coming days, hitting Cuba by tomorrow morning and the southeastern or central Bahamas later tomorrow.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Melissa inches closer to making landfall on Jamaica later today, residents are hunkering down, and tourists are stranded as all airports have been closed until the storm passes.

"We are really worried, because it might just rip the whole place apart," one man told NBC News.

Storm surge up to 17 feet is expected on the Caribbean island, in addition to 30 to 40 inches of rain coupled with 160 mph — or stronger — winds. It's the first time Jamaica will face a Category 5 storm making landfall.

And Melissa's heavy rainfall has already claimed three lives, officials have said.

The storm is whipping up 175 mph winds and is 115 miles west-southwest of Kingston. It's still moving slowly — northeast at just 5 mph

After wreaking havoc in Jamaica, Melissa is set to hit Cuba tomorrow as a Category 4 storm, then pass over the eastern Bahamas as a Category 2 storm before heading out to sea.

Hurricane Melissa: 'TODAY' show's Al Roker tracks the Category 5 storm

03:27

As conditions continue to worsen across Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Melissa's landfall, the Category 5 storm intensified to a strength beyond that of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Satellite imagery captured yesterday of Hurricane Melissa churning northwest through the Caribbean Sea. NOAA / via Getty Images

Katrina, a powerful Category 3 storm that made landfall in August 2005, reached maximum sustained winds of about 175 mph.

According to National Hurricane Center data, Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane early today, exceeding that threshold and ranking among the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, including Hurricane Wilma, which reached 185 mph.

At least seven hurricane-related deaths have been reported across the Caribbean so far, with three each in Jamaica and Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

Three people died and 13 were injured in Jamaica while cutting down trees in preparation for the storm, Jamaican Health and Wellness Minister Christopher Tufton said yesterday.

A further three were killed in Thursday's landslide in Haiti, according to Civil Protection officials.

In the northern area of the Dominican Republic, one person died after being swept into a sewer while attempting to clear it, as another remains missing, Julian Garcia, deputy director of the Center of Emergency Operations, told NBC News on Saturday.

Hurricane Melissa is slowly closing in on Jamaica as conditions there deteriorate, the hurricane center said in its latest update.

The "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm was about 115 miles west-southwest of the capital, Kingston, the agency said in a 5 a.m. post.

"Catastrophic winds, flash-flooding, and storm surge" are expected to impact the island today, it said.

People have began to take shelter in a school in Old Harbour, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa strengthened to a Category 5 storm.

The school is a stronger structure than some other buildings on the island.  Matias Delacroix / AP

Cooks prepared meals for those sheltering from the hurricane.  Matias Delacroix / AP

People slept on the floor and makeshift mattresses as the Category 5 storm approached.  Matias Delacroix / AP

As Melissa churns toward the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center anticipates “catastrophic and life-threatening” winds, flooding and storm surge for Jamaica early today.

It can be tricky to pinpoint the precise influence of climate change on any specific extreme weather event, but scientists agree that while climate change is not expected to increase the number of hurricanes that strike each year, warmer ocean temperatures will intensify those that do form. And when those storms and hurricanes move over land, they can dump intense amounts of rain, making them more dangerous and destructive.

That is because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, meaning storms can produce heavier rainfall and flooding. Studies have shown that for every degree Fahrenheit the planet heats up, the atmosphere can hold around 3% to 4% more moisture.

Video shot by the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve 403rd Wing captured the eerily serene eye of Hurricane Melissa as it slowly churned toward Jamaica on Sunday.

The Hurricane Hunters work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to “help forecasters make accurate predictions during a hurricane and help hurricane researchers achieve a better understanding of storm processes,” according to their official website. 

“From a crew member on yesterday’s Teal 74 mission into now-Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. As clear of an eye as you will see in the Atlantic basin,” Jeremy DeHart, who posted the video and is himself a former Hurricane Hunter, wrote on X. 

United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said today that aid has been readied for Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Staff members from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs will be deployed to Cuba and Jamaica this week as conditions allow, said Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general.

In Haiti, the same agency, known as OCHR, has also been supporting authorities, Dujarric said.

“Authorities report that priority needs include emergency shelter, essential household items, hygiene and cleaning kits, safe water and additional logistical support to reach isolated areas,” he said.

The U.N. yesterday approved a $4 million allocation released from the Central Emergency Response Fund for Cuba, where the storm is expected to hit tomorrow night, Dujarric said.

“This allowed our partners to pre-position food and essential supplies — including rice, grains, hygiene kits, fuel vouchers and portable water-treatment plants — in the eastern provinces,” he said.