Hurricane Melissa explodes into rare Category 5 as 3 million people brace for 'catastrophic' landfall

Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status Monday as the 'catastrophic' storm barrels toward Jamaica, where it will likely make landfall.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has located Melissa about 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 315 miles south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 160mph and was moving west at 3mph, the agency shared.

Category 5 is the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds exceeding 157mph. 

Hurricane Melissa is the strongest hurricane in recent history to have directly hit the small Caribbean nation.

Some local areas in eastern Jamaica could get 40 inches of rain, while western Haiti could get 16 inches, the NHC said.

'Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely,' it warned.

Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica's meteorological service, said Melissa could be the strongest hurricane Jamaica has experienced in decades.

This is a developing story... More updates to come 

'Do not venture out of your safe shelter. Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely today through Tuesday,' the NHC said in a 5am ET update about Melissa.

Destructive winds, especially in the mountains, will begin by this evening, leading to extensive infrastructural damage, long-lasting power and communication outages, and isolated communities. 

'Life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected along the southern coast through Tuesday.'

The storm has already dropped heavy rain in the Dominican Republic, where schools and government offices were ordered to remain closed on Monday in four of nine provinces still under red alert. 

Melissa damaged more than 750 homes across the country, displacing more than 3,760 people. 

Floodwaters have also cut access to at least 48 communities, officials said.

The NHC warned that eastern Cuba will feel impacts, saying: 'Heavy rainfall with life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides is expected beginning today.

'Life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds are expected late Tuesday and Tuesday night. Preparations should be rushed to completion.'