Hurricane Melissa Strengthens to Category 4, Says NHC

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday that Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 140 mph (220 km/h).

According to the NHC, the hurricane was located about 280 miles (450 km) from Guantánamo, Cuba.

The agency warned that severe flooding and landslides are likely in parts of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica.

Forecasters in Miami added that Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica late Monday night or early Tuesday, and in southeastern Cuba by late Tuesday night.