Hurricane Melissa live updates: No official death toll in Jamaica

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica issued an alert on Monday warning Americans in the area to prepare to shelter in place.

The three international airports in Jamaica -- Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport -- are closed.

“This is a dangerous storm,” the alert said. “Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely.”

The U.S. Embassy in Havana said in a bulletin that Americans in Cuba should "decide whether to leave now or be prepared to shelter in place."

-ABC News’ Mariam Khan

Catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane-force winds will begin in Jamaica on Monday night, and then Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday morning.

Rain totals in Jamaica could reach 15 to 30 inches and even up to 40 inches in localized areas. This will spark catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding.

Storm surge will decimate parts of Jamaica’s southern coast with water surging up to 13 feet above ground level.

Jamaicans should be prepared for extensive infrastructure damage and long-lasting power outages.

By Tuesday night, Melissa will move away from Jamaica and toward eastern Cuba. Eastern Cuba could see 15 to 20 inches of rain, triggering dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

On Wednesday afternoon, Melissa will approach the southeast Bahamas, where 4 to 8 inches of rainfall is forecast.

-ABC News’ Melissa Griffin

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he’s signed an evacuation order for some areas on the island’s southern coast.

“We can lessen damage and speed up recovery by taking preparatory and precautionary measures before the impact of the hurricane,” Holmes said in a statement.

-ABC News’ Will Gretsky

Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane, has strengthened even further and is now packing winds up to 175 mph.

Catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane-force wind conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica Monday night and continue into early Tuesday.

People should be prepared for buildings to fall apart, especially in higher elevation areas where wind speeds could be up to 30% stronger.