Hurricane Melissa, a powerful category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 160 mph, is moving westward at 3 mph and is expected to impact Jamaica tonight and Tuesday.

The hurricane’s core is forecast to move near or over Jamaica, bringing hurricane-force winds extending up to 30 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reaching 195 miles.

Melissa is currently located about 135 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 320 miles south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba.

Minimum central pressure is 913 mb.

After passing Jamaica, Melissa is forecast to move across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

Residents of Jamaica are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions, including destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and pot

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