Jamaica is bracing for a dangerous Category 5 hurricane, which could pack winds up to 175 mph and unleash up to 40 inches of soaking rain. Hurricane Melissa could be the strongest storm to ever make landfall in the country. NBC News’ George Solis reports from Kingston. | NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) says “catastrophic” and “life-threatening” hurricane-force wind conditions are expected to begin impacting Jamaica Monday night and continue into early Tuesday. Noting that tropical storm conditions are now occurring in the country, the centre said that within the eyewall, total structural failure is likely, especially in higher elevation areas where wind speeds atop, and on the windward sides of hills and mountains could be up to 30 per cent stronger. http