Hurricane Melissa hits Cuba with 120mph winds as Jamaican PM declares 'disaster area'

BBC update

HURRICANE Melissa hits Cuba with 120 mph winds after crossing Jamaica as the strongest storm to hit the country in modern history.

In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness declares a "disaster area" and warns of "devastating impacts."

The extent of the damage in Jamaica will not begin to become clear until daybreak, but Holness warns of damage to homes and hospitals.

The mayor of Montego Bay tells the BBC the first thing they will do is "check if everybody is alive" - our reporter in Kingston says he's unable to reach people to see how they are.

After hitting Cuba, the hurricane will move northeast towards the Bahamas and Bermuda.