Hurricane Melissa is stronger than Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago, forecasters warn. While both storms reached sustained winds of 175 mph at their peak, Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm.

Melissa underwent extreme rapid intensification, strengthening to a rare Category 5 with winds of 175 mph and stronger gusts, making it the strongest storm on the planet this year. Follow for live updates.

The United Cajun Navy's deployment to Jamaica marks the first time the nonprofit organization has provided aid outside of the United States.

The United Cajun Navy is on the ground in Jamaica, preparing to launch rescue operations as Hurricane Melissa — a powerful Category 5 storm — brings catastrophic winds and flash flooding across the island.

No deaths have been reported since Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica but winds, floods and landslides have caused extensive damage across multiple parishes

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm due to warming oceans linked to climate change

Hurricane Melissa, which hit Jamaica as a Category 5 with sustained winds of 185 miles per hour, could bring up to 30 inches of rain.