Hurricane Melissa pummelled Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, and thousands of people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.

The island was bombarded by "damaging winds, catastrophic flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge," according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane was ranked as a Category 5 storm, the highest level of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, when it reached Jamaica.

The International Federation of the Red Cross previously estimated that up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the extremely dangerous hurricane.

Fallen trees and utility poles, and blocked roads were reported by parishes across the island, according to the island's minister of local government and community development, Desmond McKenzie. Heavy flood waters were also reported.

The parish of St. Elizabeth is completely submerged, and the island's only hospital lost power and reported severe damage to one of its buildings.

As of Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, the storm has made landfall as a Category 3 and is moving along Eastern Cuba, according to the NHC, and bringing more damaging winds, flooding rains, and storm surge.

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos will also be affected by the storm on Wednesday.

See pictures of Hurricane Melissa's impact in Jamaica

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Jeanine Santucci; USA TODAY

Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pictures show damage from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Reporting by Julia Gomez, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect