Tropical Storm Melissa churns over warm Caribbean waters Friday morning. CSU-CIRA/RAMMB/NOAA

Jamaica is staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of hurricane conditions as Melissa strengthens over some of the hottest ocean water on the planet.

The storm’s outer bands are already brushing Jamaica and western Haiti, where hurricane watches are in effect, meaning hurricane-force winds are possible by the weekend. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for these islands, where officials are urging residents to prepare for power outages, flooding, landslides and dangerous seas.

At least three deaths have been reported in Haiti due to the storm, the Haitian Civil Protection Agency said in a statement .

As of early Friday, Melissa was about 150 miles southeast

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