Storm could intensify further, threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti
Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a powerful category 4 hurricane on Sunday, threatening days of catastrophic winds and rain in the northern Caribbean, with some residents in vulnerable areas of Jamaica refusing to evacuate.
Jamaican officials urged those in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek refuge in the more than 650 shelters activated on the island as Melissa rapidly climbs up the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale with the possibility of intensifying to a category 5 storm on Sunday night.
