Time has essentially run out for millions of people in Jamaica to prepare for deadly Hurricane Melissa’s onslaught as the monster storm undergoes "extreme rapid intensification" ahead of its likely catastrophic landfall in the coming days.

Slow-moving Tropical Storm Melissa threatens heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding across Jamaica over the weekend.

Hurricane season annually keeps millions on their toes from August to November and while the climatological peak of hurricane season is beyond us at this point, residents living along the East and Gulf coasts of the U.

“Do not gamble with Melissa, it’s not a safe bet,” said Mr McKenzie. And given the life-threatening nature of the crisis at hand, Jamaicans in low-lying, flood-prone areas, and other vulnerable situations, should obey instructions to relocate to safer locations, including designated shelters and the homes of relatives/friends.

Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago de Cuba and president of the Provincial Defense Council,