The center of Hurricane Charlie skirted the southern coast of Jamaica on the night of Aug. 17, 1951, before it made landfall early the next morning as a strong Category 3 storm, bringing destructive winds to the entirety of the island, according to the NHC. The strongest winds at Kingston were measured at 110 mph.

Jamaica's central location in the Caribbean, the island has never recorded a direct landfall from a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, according to records from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) dating back to 1850.

Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica as a Category 5 storm. Some say that it resembles Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

Melissa is among three Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall with 185 mph winds. Another storm to do so was the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.

“Do not gamble with Melissa, it’s not a safe bet,” said Mr McKenzie. And given the life-threatening nature of the crisis at hand, Jamaicans in low-lying, flood-prone areas, and other vulnerable situations, should obey instructions to relocate to safer locations, including designated shelters and the homes of relatives/friends.

Hurricane Melissa may be the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Atlantic basin. It has also ignited discussion about the need for a Category 6 designation.

Melissa, a strong Category 5 hurricane, was within hours of landfall on the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica early Tuesday.

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has made landfall already in Jamaica and Cuba, as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall.

Residents of Black River in Western Jamaica were scrambling to find basic items on Thursday, after the eye of Hurricane Melissa crossed their town during it's landfall.