Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Caribbean, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a category 5 storm with winds reaching 160mph. Originating from a cluster of thunderstorms off the coast of West Africa, Melissa intensified rapidly, becoming a tropical storm near Venezuela before evolving into a category 4 hurricane. Its slow movement, averaging just 5mph, raises concerns about extreme rainfall, with predictions of 200-400mm across Jamaica and up to 1,000mm in some areas. The US National Hurricane Center has warned of potential extensive damage, long-lasting power outages, and life-threatening flash floods. Meanwhile, New Zealand is recovering from severe storms that caused significant damage and power outages, highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events globally.