Kingston, Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 storm on Tuesday as it drew closer to Jamaica, where forecasters expected it to unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage.

At that strength, it would be the strongest hurricane to hit the island since record-keeping began in 1851.

Blamed for six deaths in the northern Caribbean as it headed toward the island, Melissa was on track to make landfall in Jamaica late on Tuesday afternoon (AEDT), before coming ashore in Cuba and then heading toward the Bahamas.

“I have been on my knees in prayer,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said.

Category 5 is the top of the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, with sustained winds exceeding 250km/h. Melissa would be the strongest hurricane in recorded history to

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