• Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a catastrophic Category 5 storm, threatening Jamaica, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands.

• A Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight was cut short after encountering severe turbulence and gusts over 200 mph.

• The storm is expected to bring catastrophic flooding, landslides, and destructive winds to Jamaica and surrounding areas.

• At least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already been attributed to the hurricane.

Hurricane Hunters were forced to cut short their reconnaissance mission into the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Monday morning, Oct. 27, after encountering severe turbulence — and 200-plus mph gusts — in the storm’s southwestern eyewall, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The decision comes as Melissa streng

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