Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as the strongest storm — and only Category 5 hurricane — ever recorded in the nation’s history.

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane -- one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin. Melissa is bringing catastrophic winds, rain and storm surge to Jamaica, where residents and tourists are sheltering in place.

Hurricane Melissa to hit Jamaica as catastrophic Cat 5 on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Here’s how Sarasota-Manatee residents can help.

The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain. The arrival of its core has been delayed by stalling.

Fox Weather's Robert Ray reports live from St. Ann Parish, Jamaica, as Category 5 Hurricane Melissa makes landfall, bringing historic 185 mph winds and torrential rain.

Hurricane Melissa, a fierce Category 5 storm, is expected to bring "catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surge" to Jamaica Tuesday, forecasters say.

Evan Thompson with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica warned that the impending landfall of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa would cause catastrophic and “life-threatening” damage. Thompson advised seeking shelter in buildings with as many walls as possible to separate them from the outside.

The National Hurricane Center's 4 p.m. Tuesday advisory reported that Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is in the Caribbean Sea, 40 miles southeast of Negril Jamaica and 235 miles southwest of Guantanamo Cuba. With maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, the hurricane is moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph.

Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status near Jamaica but won't impact the Ohio Valley. Get live updates and tracking information.

A powerful Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has begun its assault on Jamaica on Tuesday with the threat of  “catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and destructive winds,” according to the National

This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.