Rising floodwater and extreme winds hit Jamaica Tuesday as the Caribbean island braced for imminent landfall of Hurricane Melissa and officials pleaded with residents to take shelter.

The Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record and the largest ever to hit Jamaica, gathered pace as it closed in.

"Last chance to protect your life," said the US National Hurricane Center mid-morning. "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation! Take cover now!"

The NHC said Melissa's winds had reached a staggering maximum speed of 185 miles (295 kilometers) per hour.

That sustained speed was even more potent than most of recent history's most devastating storms, including 2005's Katrina, which ravaged the US city of New Orleans.

"For Jamaica it will be t

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