By Darryl Coote UPI

At least three people are dead in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, the world’s strongest storm so far this year, bears down on the Caribbean island nation, officials said.

Melissa, a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, was expected make landfall on Jamaica later Tuesday.

However, the nation has been battered by heavy rains and strong winds. Islanders have been urged to take shelter.

Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Minister Christopher Tufton reported the three storm-related deaths Monday night in a recorded statement.

“I’m very sad to say that over the past few days in preparation for the storm we have had three deaths,” he said.

The three deaths were connected with the cutting down of trees, with one also involving electrocution, he said.

“This is really tragic and our condolences goes out to the family members and where we can provide support as a health team, we have and we will.”

Nearly 15 others have been injured amid preparations for the storm, he added, saying most injuries involved falls. One resulted from a car accident.

The ministry is urging the public to exercise caution when climbing roofs, securing sandbags and cutting trees.

“Even minor mistakes during hurricane conditions can result in serious injury or death,” the ministry said in a statement.

Melissa is forecast to hit Jamaica with catastrophic winds, flooding and storm surge Tuesday, raising fears over the potential for a humanitarian crisis erupting on the island.

Over the last 24 hours, 52,000 customers have experienced power outages as the storm was approaching, though 30,000 of them have seen electricity restored.

“We are working to connect the remaining customers. However, in some areas, heavy rains and difficult terrain are creating access challenges,” it said in a statement.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said there are more than 800 shelters open throughout the country, but only 76 are being used by residents, housing 972 people, though numbers are expected to rise as the storm approaches.

“Shelters are free and safe, families stay together and residents should bring medications, water and snacks,” he said on X. “False reports about fees or restrictions should be ignored.”

Democrats on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee are calling on the State Department to deploy disaster relief assistance to Jamaica and coordinate with local, regional and international partners to address the effected of the storm when they hit the island nation.

“The United States shares deep and enduring ties with Jamaica; over a million Jamaican Americans are watching anxiously as their loved ones brace for catastrophe. The United States must stand with Jamaica and the entire Caribbean before, during and after Hurricane Melissa makes landfall,” Reps. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., ranking member of the committee, and Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., said in a statement.