At least seven people have been confirmed dead as Hurricane Melissa batters parts of the Caribbean, leaving widespread damage in its wake. Officials say three people were killed in Jamaica and four others in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The powerful storm, now a Category Five hurricane, is closing in on Jamaica with winds of up to 175 miles per hour and rainfall expected to exceed 40 inches. Meteorologists warn it could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit the island.
Authorities have ordered mass evacuations across vulnerable communities, while emergency workers are on high alert to manage possible flooding and landslides.
The US National Hurricane Center upgraded Melissa to Category Five early Monday, calling it the world’s most powerful storm so far this year.