CNN, TVJ, JAMAICAN NATIONAL WORKS AGENCY VIA X, MATEO AVALLE PIBER, HOVEN CAMPBELL By CNN Meteorologists Taylor Ward, Briana Waxman, Mary Gilbert, Elise

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane, bringing fierce 185 mph winds, heavy rain and flooding, life-threatening storm surge, and power outages. Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record and is the most intense storm to hit Jamaica since records began being kept 174 years ago.

A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are now in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa moves slowly across the Caribbean Sea and closer to the island. It means tropical storm conditions pose a possible threat to the island within 36 hours and hurricane conditions are likely to pose a threat within 48 hours,

CNN, TVJ, JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE By CNN meteorologists Mary Gilbert, Chris Dolce, Briana Waxman and CNN's Sana Noor Haq, Billy Stockwell and Zoe

Hurricane Melissa has hit Cuba after leaving a trail of destruction in Jamaica, though the full extent of its impact remains unclear. Watch and follow live below.

PORT-AU-PRINCE/KINGSTON/HAVANA (Reuters) -Hurricane Melissa smashed through the northern Caribbean and was seen picking up speed as it churned across open ocean towards Bermuda on Thursday, leaving a trail of high winds and destruction from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti in its wake.