Hurricane Melissa 'rapidly intensifies' as holiday spot braces for huge 25in of rain

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to hit Jamaica (Image: NOAA)

Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane, with a holiday destination beloved by British tourists set to be hit with catastrophic flooding.

The US National Hurricane Center has warned the storm would be upgraded to Category 5 after it hit Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It is expected to reach Jamaica on Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Those living on the island have been told to seek shelter; more than 650 have been set up across the country with food packages and supplies. "I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously," said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. "Take all measures to protect yourself. So I would urge all my fellow citizens, everyone who is now feeling nervous, anxious, uncertain, that now is the time to be prepared.” Hurricane Melissa is expected to bring up to 64cm (25ins) of rain to the island, with a similar warning issued for Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Last night, the storm was 125 miles southeast of Jamaica and 280 miles southwest of Haiti. Its speeds are reaching up to 115mph, moving east at 3mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

At least three people have been killed in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. One woman from Les Cayes in Haiti told the AP news agency that the effects of the hurricane have been catastrophic for residents.

She said: "The sea took our house. We have no place to stay. We came to the high school, but we have nothing to give the children to eat. We ask for help and support. We are not asking for much.”

Another said they would like to move out of the storm hub, but can’t afford it: "I would like to move, but I have no place to go. I packed everything. I don't have the means to go.”

Nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic were damaged, and all water systems were knocked out, disrupting supplies across the island. It also destroyed trees and traffic lights, creating small landslides and isolating communities with floodwaters.

Cuba also issued a hurricane watch for four provinces. Clean-up work and fumigation of homes have been set up to prevent epidemic outbreaks.