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Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, the strongest to lash the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.

The storm's eyewall entered near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica at 1 p.m. ET and is expected to slice diagonally across the island, exiting around St. Ann parish in the north, forecasters said. It had maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.

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As the storm approached Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned "total structural failure is possible near the path of Melissa’s center."

"This is an extremely dangerous and a life-threatening situation. Take cover now! Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, and

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