Hurricane Melissa strengthens to category 5 as evacuations ordered in Jamaica’s capital

Storm could intensify further, threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in northern Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a powerful category 5 hurricane on Monday, threatening days of catastrophic winds and rain in the northern Caribbean, while Jamaica's government ordered mandatory evacuations for vulnerable areas across the country including in the capital, Kingston.

Jamaican officials had earlier urged those in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek refuge as Melissa rapidly climbs up the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.