Melissa now a category 4 hurricane, NHC says

JAMAICA (Reuters) - Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 4 hurricane, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday, adding that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 140 mph (220 km/h).

The hurricane was located about 280 miles (450 km) from Guantanamo in Cuba, the NHC said.

Tropical Storm Melissa now a hurricane, NHC says

Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are probable across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, the NHC said.

Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica Monday night or Tuesday morning and southeastern Cuba late Tuesday, the Miami-based forecaster added.