Three dead in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa approaches | BBC News

The world's most powerful storm this year is drawing closer to Jamaica as it moves northeast through the Caribbean Sea. Many Jamaicans have been evacuated - but the slow speed of Melissa's approach has made for an anxiety-ridden few days, a BBC reporter in Jamaica said. The storm has already caused three deaths in Jamaica, and four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Forecasters believe it could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica, with winds of 175mph (282km/h) and producing as much as 101cm (40 inches) of rain, having been upgraded to a category five storm, the maximum strength, by the US-based National Hurricane Center. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #HurricaneMelissa #Jamaica #BBCNews