LIVE: Category 5 Melissa on Direct Approach to Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa remains at Category 5 strength as it nears landfall, threatening a torrent of rain, catastrophic storm surge, and damaging winds on the island nation. Here is the latest information on this dire situation in the Caribbean.

BREAKING: 1:03 PM - Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm — the island's strongest direct hit in 174 years

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has officially made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a central pressure of 892 mb (26.34 inches), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The NHC described Melissa’s arrival as “one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic Basin.” The storm is moving north-northeast at 9 mph (15 km/h) and bringing catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and destructive storm surge along Jamaica’s southern coastline.