Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue strengthening and become a Category 5 hurricane, according to the NHC, Saturday, Oct. 25.

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 in Jamaica, accompanied by large and powerfully destructive waves.

At 5 p.m., Melissa was located about 80 miles south of the Central Bahamas. Melissa is not expected to make landfall in Florida or the U.S. The powerful storm made landfall on Jamaica Tuesday morning and on Cuba early Wednesday morning. It's expected to move across the Bahamas later today and pass near Bermuda late Thursday.

Melissa is expected to become a Category 5 hurricane by Sunday night, Oct. 26, and have catastrophic impacts on islands in the northern Caribbean.

Like Helene, Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 storm when it crashed into southwest Florida in 2022. It was one of the state’s deadliest and costliest storms, but the 5,000 residents of Babcock Ranch emerged almost completely unscathed.

Melissa is not expected to make landfall in Florida or the U.S. The powerful storm is expected to make landfall on the island nation of Jamaica Tuesday morning. At 2 p.m., Melissa has maximum sustained winds of 165 mph with higher gusts. Melissa is a dangerously powerful Category 5 hurricane.

Don’t be fooled – there’s still time for major activity this season. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the strongest-ever storm to hit Jamaica, had winds topping 185 mph and could have turned toward the Sunshine State.

Centers of global wealth — and vibrant exile communities that run generations deep — both cities are cultural melting pots that have long been major points of entry for immigrants.