Jamaica is staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of hurricane conditions as Melissa strengthens over some of the hottest ocean water on the planet. The storm’s outer bands are already brushing Jamaica and western Haiti,

Although Jamaica has been hit by many hurricanes, a storm stronger than Category 3 has never made landfall on the island.

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to grow into a major Category 4 hurricane as it threatens Jamaica and then Cuba, but its effects on Florida remain uncertain, according to the National Hurricane

Slow-moving Tropical Storm Melissa threatens heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding across Jamaica over the weekend.

An intensifying Melissa will bring destructive flooding to Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic before tracking toward Cuba, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas next week.