The US National Hurricane Centre says the category five storm is "extremely dangerous and life-threatening" as it hits the island.

Lightning flashes in the eyewall of Category 5 Melissa are a marker of how strong the storm is. It reached a central pressure of 892 millibars, among the lowest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. It is tied as the third-most intense Atlantic storm with the devastating 1935 Labor Day hurricane.

Historic, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the weekend, the NHC said. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels when the storm makes landfall, accompanied by large and powerfully destructive waves.

This article originally published at Severe Hurricane Melissa causes cruise ship scramble to Gulf. As winter approaches, it helps to know when to pack a parka or rain gear. AccuWeather has the skinny on what regions will see heavy snow and when.

The Category 5 storm’s slow pace could have devastating effects when it makes landfall. Officials warned those in its path to seek shelter, saying, “This is not the time to be brave.”

With Hurricane Melissa moving at speeds of 175 miles per hour and preparing to make landfall on the island nation of Jamaica by the afternoon of Oct. 28, governments are warning their citizens to put off travel, while airlines and cruise lines are calling off trips.

Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status near Jamaica but won't impact the Ohio Valley. Get live updates and tracking information.

Hurricane Melissa is about to make landfall in Jamaica. Marlon Hill, Lead Relief Mobilizer for the south Florida organization Caribbean Strong, joins Chris Jansing to share more on how they are already preparing to send critical supplies to the country in the aftermath of the storm.