Hurricane Melissa has hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy flooding and wind damage.

The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain. The arrival of its core has been delayed by stalling.

Emergency water systems and medical teams deployed to Jamaica following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa with additional Samaritan's Purse relief flights planned.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened overnight and became a powerful Category 5 hurricane on Monday as it neared Jamaica, which could take a direct hit on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center said Melissa had 160 mph winds on Monday morning. Category 5 winds begin at 157 mph.

Jamaicans braced for impact on Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa neared landfall, threatening catastrophic storm surges, flash floods, and landslides as the worst storm to hit the Caribbean island this century.

Its intensity at landfall appeared to tie an all-time Atlantic Basin record. But the devastation in Jamaica wasn't all Melissa brought to the Caribbean. Here is our recap of this historic hurricane.

Texas newlyweds Kasydee and Hunter Bishop are trapped near Montego Bay, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches as a Category 5 storm with 175 mph winds.

“Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane, and it will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas” on Wednesday, the hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. advisory.