Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm ever to hit Jamaica, moved toward Cuba on Tuesday after unleashing catastrophic winds and flooding that left the Caribbean island reeling.

The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed it the “storm of the century.”

Hurricane Melissa roared ashore near the southwestern town of New Hope, packing sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph) — well above the threshold for a Category 5 storm, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on CNN that the hurricane caused “significant damage” to hospitals, homes, and infrastructure, particularly in St. Elizabeth Parish, which was described as “underwater.” Over 500,000 residents have been left without power across the island.

While officials have not yet confirmed fatalities within Jamaica, Holness cautioned that “given the strength of the hurricane and the extent of the damage, we are expecting that there would be some loss of life.”

Deaths reported across the Caribbean

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) described Melissa as a slow-moving system of “historic ferocity.” It has already caused seven deaths across the Caribbean — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic — with another person still missing.

WMO cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan warned that rainfall could exceed 700mm (27.5 inches) — nearly double the island’s average rainy season total — triggering flash floods and landslides.

Government and relief efforts underway

Jamaican authorities have mobilized emergency services, but officials admit the scale of the storm has stretched national capacity. Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie told Al Jazeera, “We are prepared, but I don’t know if we can be prepared for a Category 5 hurricane.”

Leiska Powell, an emergency manager with the Red Cross, said the western regions were hit hardest, reporting “stronger winds, more rains, and also some significant damage.”

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimated that 1.5 million Jamaicans could experience the long-term effects of Hurricane Melissa, including displacement and power shortages.

Journalist Robian Williams of NationWide Radio 90FM said “trees were toppled and power lines downed” as fierce winds swept through Kingston and surrounding areas.

After crossing Jamaica, the eye of Hurricane Melissa moved northwest toward Cuba’s second-largest city, with the NHC warning that it remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane. The storm is expected to bring destructive winds, coastal surges, and torrential rainfall to Cuba’s southern provinces.

Cuban authorities have begun evacuations in low-lying regions and placed the island’s disaster response teams on full alert.