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

Hurricane Melissa hits Cuba, bringing 115mph winds and heavy rain, 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", reports BBC.

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".

The normal soundtrack that accompanies Jamaican life is silent, writes the BBC's Nick Davis from Kingston.

After hitting Cuba, the hurricane will move north-east towards the Bahamas and Bermuda.