The Jamaican government said it had done all it could to prepare as it warned of devastating damage from the strongest hurricane to hit the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.

WELL, JUST ABSOLUTELY HISTORIC DAY UNFOLDING IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA AS WE’RE STILL KEEPING A VERY CLOSE EYE ON MAJOR HURRICANE MELISSA MADE LANDFALL IN JAMAICA EARLIER TODAY. HERE’S WHERE WE STAND RIGHT NOW.

Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled into roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore.