
JAMAICA - Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in south-western Jamaica as the strongest storm to ever hit the Caribbean nation in modern history.

The storm has weakened to a category four with wind speeds of 145mph (230km/h), after earlier lashing the coastline with winds of more than 185mph. Up to 30 inches (76cm) of rain is expected in some parts of Jamaica, with areas already experiencing flash flooding. The storm is expected to remain severe as it crosses Jamaica and makes its way towards Cuba. A Jamaican man tells BBC News "the winds are so strong you would not be able to stand up", while a woman says "water is coming through my roof - I am not OK". (BBC)

