Jamaica was slammed by gale‑force winds and torrential rain placing the Caribbean nation into a full‑blown humanitarian crisis

Hurricane Melissa has weakened slightly but remains an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm that’s hammering western Jamaica with 160 mph winds. Melissa is moving to north-northeast at 8 mph bringing catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surge to the island.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie says that of the country’s 881 national hurricane shelters, only 76 of those shelters are currently seeing activity. McKenzie, who gave the update during a press conference on Monday,

Hurricane Melissa left dozens dead and widespread destruction across Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti, knocking out power and forcing residents from their homes. The storm approaches the Bahamas next.