Hurricane Melissa threatened catastrophic winds, deadly floods and landslides on Jamaica’s southern coast this morning, nearing landfall as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, only 5 mph short of the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.

The storm’s intensification — with sustained winds stronger than those of Hurricane Katrina at its peak — came with dire warnings from officials.

“Jamaica, this is not the time to be brave,” said Desmond McKenzie, the minister coordinating disaster response. “Don’t bet against Melissa. It is a bet we can’t win.”

He urged people to go to shelters in places affected by mandatory evacuation orders. “There is still a small window of opportunity,” he said. “Let us see if we can use it wisely.”

Forecasters for the U.S. National Weather Service made a

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