“Many of these communities will not survive this flooding,” local government minister, Desmond McKenzie, said at a press conference on Monday.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 5 storm Monday as it drew closer to Jamaica, where forecasters said it would unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage.

According to the NHC, 40 inches of rain (100cm) are possible in parts of Jamaica over the next four days.