The Category 5 storm is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.
WASHINGTON — Hurricane Melissa has officially made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm.
The monster storm made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with 185 mph winds, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
Before landfall, officials and residents braced for catastrophic winds, flash flooding and landslides from the Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history.
Around 11 a.m. Eastern, the NHC urged everyone in Jamaica to “TAKE COVER NOW!”
“THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION,” the agency said.
The director of the hurricane center warned that Jamaica’s highest mountains could see wind gusts up to 200 mph.
“It’s just a catastrophic situation playing out here for Jamaica,” Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, said, warning that there would be “total building failures.”
The Jamaican government said it had done all it could to prepare as it warned of devastating damage from the strongest hurricane to hit the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.
Where is Hurricane Melissa going?
After Jamaica, the storm is expected to hit Cuba late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.