Octavio Jones/Reuters via CNN Newsource

(CNN) - Hurricane Melissa’s immense power has placed the hurricane in very exclusive company. With sustained winds of 175 mph, Melissa is now one of the strongest hurricanes, based on top wind speeds, on record in the Atlantic basin.

Only nine Atlantic hurricanes have been stronger than Melissa, though several others have also hit 175-mph strength. Hurricane Allen from 1980 still holds the title as the basin’s strongest storm with 190 mph winds.

Melissa is also one of the strongest hurricanes to ever in the Caribbean Sea, only behind Allen, 2005’s Wilma, 1998’s Mitch, and 1988’s Gilbert. Gilbert was the last major hurricane to directly strike Jamaica.

Melissa has already claimed lives in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Right now, Melissa is st

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