SEVEN people have been killed as the “world’s strongest storm” rips through the Caribbean – with thousands braced for unprecedented destruction.
Hurricane Melissia is grinding up towards Jamaica’s south coast, forcing mass evacuations and trapping Brit tourists in their hotels, and the worst is expected to hit later this morning.
At least three deaths in Jamaica – which already being lashed by high winds – have so far been blamed on the storm.
Jamaican Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said two locals had been crushed by falling trees and one electrocuted while preparing their homes.
Three further people have been killed in Haiti, and one person in the Dominican Republic.
Up to 40 inches of rain and 13ft of “life-threatening” storm surge were expected to rip through neighbourhoods causing “extensive infrastructure damage”.
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The slow-moving monster is now approaching Jamaica through the early hours of Tuesday – already unleashing 175mph winds and sparking power cuts.
It is expected to smash into the south coast later on this morning, before rumbling up through the island.
Melissa is predicted to be the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica since records began in 1851.
Brit holidaymaker Andrew Tracey told Sky News he was locked down in a hotel alongside an estimated 200 other Brits.
He said: “The tension in the hotel last night when we went down for dinner was definitely one of nerves, even locals.”
Jamaican authorities have been warning locals to stay indoors and ordered at least seven mandatory evacuation orders in high-risk regions.
Eastern Cuba is expected to be hit by Melissa after it makes landfall in Jamaica – with tropical storm conditions expected to start there on Tuesday evening.
In the Jamaican capital Kingston, the worst conditions are expected from 5am to 5pm local time on Tuesday, with peak winds up to 75mph.
Meanwhile in Montego Bay, winds could reach over 140mph and see rainfall of up to 24 inches.
US embassies across the Caribbean have also warned US citizens to stay vigilant and take extra caution ahead of the cyclone.
Category five hurricanes have at least 157mph winds and will cause “catastrophic damage”.
Jamaica’s minister of local government Desmond McKenzie said: “Many of these communities will not survive this flooding.
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“Kingston is low, extremely low… No community in Kingston is immune from flooding.”
The government shuttered airports, opened emergency shelters, and placed hospitals in emergency mode, before the storm hit.