Flooding and power cuts in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

After hitting Jamaica and Cuba, the storm is now heading to other Caribbean islands

Hundreds of thousands of people are without power after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica.

The storm is the strongest to have hit the country in modern history.

Heavy rain and winds of up to 185 miles per hour (mph) were recorded and shelters were set up to help keep residents and tourists safe.

Much of Jamaica has been left without power or phone service.

Parts of the island are also under water, and many homes have been destroyed as a result of the devastating storm.

A satellite captured Hurricane Melissa as it passed over Jamaica

After crossing Jamaica, hurricane Melissa dropped from category five - the maximum strength - to a category three storm when it made landfall in Cuba.

The UN's World Food Programme is working to organise emergency supplies across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Countries all over the world have also said they'll send aid for victims of the storm, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who has promised £2.5 million to support Jamaica's recovery.

What's the latest?

The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, in the south-west of the country, bringing high winds and heavy rain.

Wind speeds of 185mph were recorded and people were warned about the risk of flash flooding and storm surges across the Caribbean island.

Authorities in the country urged residents and visitors to continue sheltering in place as the storm passed over the island.

It's thought that across the country, hundreds of thousands of people are without power and telecoms due to high winds and fallen power lines.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness called the island a "disaster area", and warned of "devastating impacts."

The hurricane also bought flooding and destruction to Haiti, a country to the east of Jamaica.

A car driving through a flooded street in Cuba

Hurricane Melissa bought flash flooding, landslides and damaging winds to Cuba on Wednesday morning.

It slightly weakened after leaving Jamaica, becoming a category three storm.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said there had been "considerable damage", and warned people to continue to be careful in a post on social media.

Melissa is then expected to weaken further, crossing the Bahamas and on towards the island of Bermuda on Thursday.

Aid for people affected

The Jamaican government has launched a website to support and coordinate relief efforts in the country.

Volunteers across the US state of Florida, which is close to the Caribbean Sea, have also been helping to fill up boxes with essential supplies including food and water, which will be flown over to help people affected by the hurricane.

US President Donald Trump has also told reporters that his government was ready to send official aid to Jamaica if needed.

"We're watching it closely and we are prepared to move forward," he said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that the UK government would donate £2.5 million pounds to the relief effort.

The Foreign office has said the money will go towards delivering emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters and blankets.