Hurricane Melissa threatens catastrophic flooding in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, and could develop further to become a Category 5 as it approaches Jamaica, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane is likely to bring life-threatening flash flooding and landslides to parts of Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and southern Hispaniola, which is made up of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

A hurricane warning was in effect on Sunday for Jamaica and parts of Cuba, while parts of Haiti were under a hurricane watch.

The hurricane was moving west at 5 mph as of 8 p.m. ET Sunday, with maximum sustained wind speeds reaching up to 145 miles per hour.