This special report covers the catastrophic landfall of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in southwestern Jamaica, bringing record-breaking 185 mph winds and widespread destruction. . The Jamaican energy minister has stated that ‘a third of the island is experiencing power cuts and citizens have been asked to brace for things to get significantly worse’. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has called it one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, with officials fearing it could become the worst natural disaster in the nation’s history. . The government has issued mass evacuation orders and opened over 800 shelters as the storm causes catastrophic flash flooding and deadly landslides. . At least seven deaths have been reported in the Caribbean. .
