Extremely dangerous’ storm strengthens towards Cuba after devastating Jamaica - The storm made landfall in the southwestern part of Jamaica with destructive winds and heavy rain

Hurricane Melissa has grown into one of the most powerful storms the Atlantic has seen in years. Here are five startling facts about this devastating storm.

Hurricane Melissa, which is stronger than Hurricane Katrina, is set to bring catastrophic winds, flash flooding and high storm surges to the island of Jamaica.

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is making landfall in Jamaica and is unleashing some of nature's most intense fury on the island nation with a high risk of great loss of life and catastrophic damage on Tuesday. "This is unequivocally the most astounding capture of the atmosphere that I have ever seen."

NOAA Hurricane Hunters faced one of their most dangerous missions yet as they flew the WP-3D Orion “Kermit” directly into the eye of Hurricane Melissa. The aircraft was violently tossed as brutal turbulence ripped through the cabin,

Melissa underwent extreme rapid intensification, strengthening to a rare Category 5 with winds of 175 mph and stronger gusts, making it the strongest storm on the planet this year. Follow for live updates.

After savaging Jamaica as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, swamping Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas and skirting Bermuda, Hurricane Melissa is rapidly speeding out into the Atlantic and is expected to drop down into an extratropical cyclone later today, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Melissa is a dangerous Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph. What to expect as the storm approaches Jamaica.