Hurricane Melissa closes in on Jamaica

(CNN, KYMA) - Hurricane Melissa has been the strongest storm on the planet so far this year.

The streets of Jamaica's capital city, Kingston, was empty Monday as the rare Category 5 hurricane raged in the Caribbean, with winds of up to 175 mph.

The enormity of the threat was on full display as a hurricane hunter plane flew into the storm's eye Monday.

In addition, the slow-moving giant is expected to dump a massive amount of rain as it moves over Jamaica, causing landslides and catastrophic flash flooding.

That and combined with the powerful storm surge and high winds threaten widespread damage to infrastructure.

The National Hurricane Center warned of the potential for "total structural failure," and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said after the storm passes, the country will need help.