Melissa strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane, US NHC says

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with destructive winds, storm surge, and catastrophic flooding expected to intensify in Jamaica through the day and into the night, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Monday.

Melissa was located about 315 miles (505 km) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba, packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), NHC said.

"A slow turn toward the northwest and north is expected today and tonight, followed by a northeastward acceleration beginning on Tuesday and continuing through at least Thursday," NHC said.