The National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. Wednesday update reported that Category 2 Hurricane Melissa is 45 miles northwest of Guantanamo Cuba and 205 miles south of the Central Bahamas. The hurricane is moving to the north-northeast at 14 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

Tropical Storm Melissa is lumbering through the Caribbean Sea and bringing a risk of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of "life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides" throughout Hispaniola.

Tropical Storm Melissa was churning in the Caribbean late Tuesday, according to forecasters warning Hispaniola to expect heavy rains and flooding over the next few days.

Hurricane Melissa is currently sustaining winds near 140 mph, and is expected to make landfall in Jamaica on Monday.

Melissa has intensified into a category 4 hurricane and could develop further to become a category 5 as it approaches Jamaica.

Melissa could be one of the most intense, devastating hurricanes on record in Jamaica, with widespread flooding, landslides and destructive winds. Flooding rain is also a grave concern in Hispaniola.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, maintaining its Category 5 intensity with devastating winds, flooding rains and storm surge spreading across the Caribbean.

Unlike other storms in this hurricane season, Melissa is likely to have a devastating effect on some of the most populated islands in the Caribbean.

Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph early Wednesday and was centered about 325 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Millions of people in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are preparing for flooding rain and strong winds as Tropical Storm Melissa, which is now forecast to become a major hurricane, meanders in the central Caribbean.