Hurricane Melissa, a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph, is currently located near latitude 16.3°N and longitude 76.4°W, moving west at approximately 5 mph. It is expected to move near or over Jamaica through Tuesday, then across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night, and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

Melissa is approximately 120 south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

Melissa is rapidly intensifying and is forecast to remain a major hurricane at landfall in Jamaica and southeastern Cuba. Hurricane-force winds extend 25 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 175 miles.

Melissa is expected to bring heavy rainfall, with 15 to 30 inches possible in southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, and up to 40 inches locally, causing catastrophic flash floo

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