The historic Hurricane Melissa tore across Jamaica today and at news time - the eye of the storm - now a category 3 - is moving on to Cuba.
While it will take days for the full toll of the physical damage to be known - we can tell you that tonight 70% of the island is without electricity after hurricane Melissa ravaged its most populated areas. What we have managed to gather from social media outlets is that the damage ranges between flooding and strong sustained winds, tearing down trees and ripping off the roofs of houses.
Here's a compilation of some of those videos that came out of Jamaica today.
With record breaking wind speeds of 185 miles per hour, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica just before midday, near New Hope on the northwest of the island.
The hurricane's path moved off Jamaica's north coast as it tore through Montego Bay, dropping to a category 4, and is now expected to head towards Cuba, making landfall by midnight and then on to the Bahamas by Wednesday.
As of this afternoon Jamaican authorities report that over 6,000 persons have been displaced and are now in shelters.
The hurricane's devastating effects have caused flooding, fallen trees, landslides and road blockages caused by debris. Emergency teams have since been dispatched to the most affected areas.
Desmond Mckenzie, Jamaica's Minister of Local Development
"We are having reports of widespread impact across several parishes which are seeing increased number of land slippage, flooding, fire, storm surge and power outages. Roads in St Thomas Portland and St Catherine are blocked by fallen trees, poles, landslides and most of these have been clear. And I want to make the point that the team on the road the roaming teams that have been preposition have been responding once the report is sent to the team they are actually out there doing the work so if you are in an area where there is a blockage and fallen trees you can send us the information and once it is possible we will send the team out."
Melissa is by far the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica and it has caused massive damage across the island, tearing off roofs, flooding communities and endangering lives.
Tomorrow, the island's Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management will start to assess the losses and the toll on human safety.
Later on in the news we'll have more from Jamaica with a report from journalist Kalilah Reynolds who is in Kingston.
