Hours from landfall, Hurricane Melissa is also slow moving like Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which could mean catastrophic flooding.

If it strikes Jamaica at close to full strength, it could eclipse all storms the island has experienced before.

Historic, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the weekend, the NHC said. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels when the storm makes landfall, accompanied by large and powerfully destructive waves.

American Peter Kong and his family are hunkered down in their hotel room in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa approaches. Stocked up on food and water, Kong spoke to NBC News' Joe Fryer and Savannah Sellers about his current situation and said he and his family are bracing for the worst.