JAMAICA BRACES FOR DIRECT HIT FROM CAT 5 MELISSA

Mandatory evacuations are underway as Jamaica braces for what is expected to be a devastating blow from Hurricane Melissa, which is now a Category 5 storm. The massive storm rapidly intensified over the weekend and is expected to bring up to 40 inches of rain, 13 feet of storm surge and 160 mph sustained winds. Melissa is expected to be the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica and is expected to cause “extensive infrastructural damage” and “long-lasting power and communication outages,” the National Hurricane Center warned Monday morning. Correspondent Ivan Rodriguez has the latest in a 3:30pET PKG with free custom tags from Atlanta.