Officials in Jamaica have urged people to stay inside their shelters as Hurricane Melissa churns towards the Caribbean island as the most destructive storm on record to hit the area.

The Category 5 hurricane is expected to make landfall early on Tuesday near St Elizabeth Parish in the south and leave the island around St Ann Parish in the north.

Andrew Holness, the Jamaican prime minister, appealed to the public to stay indoors.

“I urge all Jamaicans to stay inside and remain within the safety of your homes. Avoid unnecessary travel. Strong winds, heavy rains and flash floods can occur at any moment,” he said late on Monday.

“Staying indoors is the safest option and reduces the burden on our security and emergency personnel,” he added.

Holness went on to warn of enormous destructio

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