One of the most powerful hurricanes in more than 30 years is set to hit the Caribbean and cause catastrophic flooding in Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa has been moving through the Caribbean Sea and intensified to Category 4 by late Sunday (26 October), as it sustained winds of 145mph (230kph) and was moving west at 5mph (7kph).

It is expected to reach Category 5 strength by Monday night, with winds greater than 157mph (250kph) as it veers north-east towards Jamaica.

By Tuesday, at around midday, Melissa is set to reach Jamaica with winds of up to 160mph (257kph), which would make it one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Caribbean country in history.

Prior to Melissa, the most powerful was recorded more than 30 years ago in 1988 when Hurricane Gilbert battered Jamaica with winds of 1

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