‘Storm of the century’: Hurricane makes landfall as category five

The most powerful hurricane in 174 years of records in Jamaica slammed into the south-west of the island nation on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Melissa made landfall near the town of New Hope, packing maximum sustained winds of 295 km/h.

The US National Hurricane Centre warned that “total structural failure” was likely in Melissa’s path.

“The destruction could be unlike anything people in Jamaica have seen before,” US forecaster AccuWeather’s hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.

“The island has never taken a direct hit from a category four or a category five hurricane in recorded history.”

Media in Jamaica spoke of homes destroyed and roofs being ripped of hospitals and medical facilities. Unverified videos posted online showed the effects of intensely powerful winds and huge waves poundi