M elissa strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane Saturday and is expected to continue intensifying over the weekend, becoming a Category 5 storm — with winds up to 160 mph — before making landfall over Jamaica on Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

“I want to urge Jamaicans to take this seriously,” said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of the island’s Disaster Risk Management Council. “Do not gamble with Melissa. It’s not a safe bet.”