The rapidly intensifying storm is expected to wreak havoc across the Caribbean, with catastrophic floods, landslides and storm surges expected in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola into early next week, forcing authorities and residents to batten down.
Hurricane Melissa was about 210km southeast of Kingston and about 400km southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, according to the NHC advisory.
Maximum sustained winds increased to near 150kmh.
A hurricane warning is in place for Jamaica, and a hurricane watch for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti and parts of Cuba, including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin.
"I would urge all my fellow citizens, now is the time to be prepared," Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said during a press conference in Kingston, adding that the "entire Jamaica will be impacted" for multiple days.
Holness advised people in low-lying areas like Port Royal in Kingston to evacuate but did not issue a mandatory evacuation order.
Evan Thompson, Jamaica's principal director at the Meteorological Service, said Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a Category 4 storm on Tuesday, and remain for five days. Category 4 hurricanes have sustained winds of 200kmh to 250kmh.
"Today is really the last day to do what you have to do on the outside," Thompson said.
People around the country were rushing to gather supplies and secure their homes while fishermen and vendors in Kingston raced to prepare their boats and sell their goods before the storm hits.
“When it's moving slow, it’s the worst because no one knows what's next,” said Diane Thompson, a local herb seller. “I asked God this morning to see if he can turn back the storm. Because no matter what, we cannot manage it.”
The NHC said the storm was currently moving west at 6kmh and predicts 38 to 76cm of rainfall in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola with a possible local maximum of 100cm. Eastern Cuba is expected to get 15 to 30cm with local amounts of 45cm.
Jamaica's south coast is expected to see storm surges of up to 3.96 metres accompanied by large, destructive waves. Significant storm surges are expected on the southeast coast of Cuba early next week, the agency added.
Clive Davis, a fisherman from Kingston, prepared his boat “Prince Daniel” along the shoreline and said he feared Melissa will bring more damage than last year's devastating Hurricane Beryl, which passed just south of the island.
“But this now, she wants to come stay, visit Jamaica for three days, why? It’s gonna slow down business, but it’s nature. We can’t fight against nature,” he said.
