Most of Jamaica remains without power, as our correspondent reports floods, mudslides and "palm trees tossed like toothpicks".

The Category 5 storm’s slow pace could have devastating effects when it makes landfall. Officials warned those in its path to seek shelter, saying, “This is not the time to be brave.”

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa sped up early Tuesday making landfall in Jamaica around 1 p.m, tying the record for the strongest landfall in the Atlantic.

According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 2 storm, is moving across eastern Cuba, bringing damaging winds, flash flooding and storm surge to the island after pummeling Jamaica. Melissa was located about 45 miles northwest of Guantanamo, Cuba.