Prayers are being sent out from the US to friends and family stranded in Jamaica, which is in the direct path of Hurricane Melissa.

Worried aunt, Jamie Neimeyer, posted on X that her nephew and his bride of one week are trapped.

'We tried every avenue, including private charters. They had a seat for Grace on one of the last flights out, but she wouldn't leave Jet,' she posted.

Another couple was visiting the island for their 10th anniversary and were set to leave on Saturday, but their flight had been canceled ahead of the incoming hurricane. 

Maritza Caver-Blake told ActionNews5: 'We have two kids back in Jonesboro that family and our friends are taking care of until we get back.

'My main concern is my kids and trying to make sure that we can get back to them.'

The US Embassy in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, has told American citizens to shelter in place and check in with loved ones when possible. 

Jamaica's meteorological service said: 'Life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica late Monday through Tuesday morning.

'Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are strongly advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.'

The storm is expected to turn northward over the next 12 hours, then northeastward as steering winds from the mid-latitude jet stream take over. 

This track takes Melissa near Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday, across eastern Cuba Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, and near or over the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on Wednesday. 

The hurricane could approach Bermuda by Thursday night. 

Melissa will become the strongest hurricane in recent history to have directly hit the small Caribbean nation. 

Some local areas in eastern Jamaica could get 40 inches of rain, while western Haiti could get 16 inches, the NHC said. 

'Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely,' the NHC warned.

Norman Manley International Airport closed after its last scheduled arriving flight at 8 pp local time (9pm ET) Saturday evening, leaving many Americans stranded as Melissa moves closer. 

One X user posted: 'My cousin's daughter and two of her friends are stranded in Hanover, Jamaica. Southwest refused to change its flight.' 

The NHC said that Melissa may experience short-term intensity fluctuations in the next 12 to 24 hours due to a possible eyewall replacement cycle, but it is expected to remain a major hurricane. 

Even a Category 4 or 5 landfall in Jamaica would produce catastrophic wind damage. 

After passing Jamaica, interaction with land and increasing wind shear should weaken Melissa slightly, though it will remain dangerous as it moves over Cuba. 

Once in the open Atlantic, stronger winds and shear should gradually weaken the storm, which is expected to become extratropical by the end of the forecast period. 

Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica's meteorological service, said Melissa could be the strongest hurricane Jamaica has experienced in decades.

'Do not venture out of your safe shelter. Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely today through Tuesday,' the NHC said in a 5am ET update about Melissa.

Destructive winds, especially in the mountains, will begin by this evening, leading to extensive infrastructural damage, long-lasting power and communication outages, and isolated communities. 

'Life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected along the southern coast through Tuesday.'

The storm has already dropped heavy rain in the Dominican Republic, where schools and government offices were ordered to remain closed on Monday in four of nine provinces still under red alert. 

Hurricane Melissa damaged more than 750 homes across the country, displacing more than 3,760 people. 

Floodwaters have also cut access to at least 48 communities, officials said.

The NHC warned that eastern Cuba will feel impacts, saying: 'Heavy rainfall with life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides is expected beginning today.

'Life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds are expected late Tuesday and Tuesday night. Preparations should be rushed to completion.'

AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter noted that several vital facilities in Jamaica will be right in the path of the hurricane, potentially crippling recovery efforts once Melissa passes.

'A key power plant, airport, shipping port, fuel terminal and water treatment plant all sit near the southern coast,' Porter revealed in a statement.

The weather experts added that a storm surge between six and 10 feet could damage or destroy these areas on Tuesday. 

Meteorologists have also been monitoring the jet stream which cuts across the US to see how it will influence Melissa this week, potentially bringing the hurricane closer to the East Coast.

According to AccuWeather, if that natural U-shaped jet stream dips low enough into Florida, it could drag Melissa closer to the US as the storm moves into the Atlantic.

AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva, said: 'At this time, the odds of 'direct' rain and wind impacts from Melissa reaching the US East Coast are low.'

Current storm tracks have tightened to show Melissa keeping a straight path that will take it over Cuba, the Bahamas, and then straight to Bermuda by Friday.

Spaghetti models, which previously showed a potential direct hit on the northeastern US, have moved farther out to sea. 

However, coastal communities could feel indirect impacts of the massive storm as it moves through the Atlantic, potentially bringing dangerous rip currents, rough surf, and flooding in some areas closest to the hurricane.

Melissa had been brewing in the Caribbean as a tropical storm all last week, being kept in check by strong wind gusts that hampered its development.

As those winds faded Saturday, the storm exploded into a major hurricane in just nine hours.

Melissa's sustained winds increased by more than 100mph during that time.