Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, the strongest to lash the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.

The storm's eyewall entered near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica at 1 p.m. ET and is expected to slice diagonally across the island, exiting around St. Ann parish in the north, forecasters said. It had maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.

As the storm approached Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned "total structural failure is possible near the path of Melissa’s center."

"This is an extremely dangerous and a life-threatening situation. Take cover now! Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, and loss of life. Residents in the Jamaica should not leave their shelter as winds will rapidly increase withi

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