A rare and catastrophic Category 5 storm is bearing down on Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified over the weekend and is now the strongest storm ever forecast to strike the island nation. It's expected to unleash devastating winds, storm surge and extreme rain, setting off life-threatening flooding and landslides. Follow live updates on the hurricane: https://cnn.it/43GV7m3 | CNN

The world's most powerful storm this year is drawing closer to Jamaica as it moves northeast through the Caribbean Sea. The storm is said to have already caused three deaths in Jamaica, and four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 🎧 Catch up with the world in the Global News Podcast: https://bbc.in/4oBco8d | BBC World Service

Footage has emerged from the eye of Hurricane Melissa after a specially adapted plane operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) flew into the center of the storm. Melissa is on track to make landfall on Tuesday in Jamaica before coming ashore in Cuba later in the day and then heading toward the Bahamas. Footage shows the eerie calmness with clear blue, sunny skies up above, while the thick cloudy eye wall can be seen swirling around in the distance. Find out more at

Hurricane Hunters captured a rare look inside Hurricane Melissa's eye over the Caribbean Sea just before the storm is expected to make a historic Category 5 landfall in Jamaica. | NBC News