Hurricane Melissa's immense power has placed the hurricane in very exclusive company.

With sustained winds of 281km/h, Melissa is now one of the strongest hurricanes, based on top wind speeds, on record in the Atlantic basin.

Only nine Atlantic hurricanes have been stronger than Melissa, though several others have also hit 281km/h strength.

Hurricane Allen from 1980 still holds the title as the basin's strongest storm with 305 km/h winds.

Melissa is also one of the strongest hurricanes to ever in the Caribbean Sea, only behind Allen, 2005's Wilma, 1998's Mitch, and 1988's Gilbert. Gilbert was the last major hurricane to directly strike Jamaica.

Up to 1016mm of rain, 13 feet of storm surge, and 257km/h sustained winds will cause "extensive infrastructure damage" that will cut off co

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