October 27, 2025 – Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has claimed seven lives across the Caribbean as it intensifies ahead of making landfall in Jamaica, where it is expected to be the strongest storm to hit the island in recorded history. The storm’s ferocity has already left widespread damage in its wake, and authorities are warning that the worst is yet to come as it nears Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.
What Happened
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the Caribbean over the weekend, and it is now approaching Jamaica, bringing life-threatening winds, rain, and storm surges. The storm’s winds have reached up to 175 mph, and it is expected to intensify further as it approaches the island. It is one of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
The deadly storm has already claimed three lives in Jamaica, three more in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, with another person still missing. As the storm approached Jamaica, landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages were reported, leaving thousands of people stranded.
The storm surge is expected to reach up to four meters, and a meter of rain is forecast, which will likely lead to catastrophic flash flooding. The National Hurricane Centre issued a warning of severe damage to infrastructure, prolonged power outages, and significant communication disruptions.
Who Was Affected
- Jamaica is bracing for the worst of the storm, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness warning that no infrastructure in the region can withstand a Category 5 hurricane. The government has opened 850 shelters, which can accommodate over 20,000 people, and health officials have moved patients from lower levels of hospitals to prepare for the potential storm surge.
- Cuba is also on high alert as Hurricane Melissa heads towards the eastern coast, where it is expected to make landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday. Over 600,000 people are being evacuated from regions like Santiago, the country’s second-largest city.
- The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands are also being affected, with hurricane warnings in place for the Bahamas and tropical storm warnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Current Conditions and Warnings
The hurricane has intensified over the course of its journey, and the central pressure has dropped significantly from 909 mb to 901 mb in just one day. This indicates that the storm could strengthen even further before making landfall in Jamaica.
The National Hurricane Centre has advised that the destructive eyewall winds could cause total structural failure, especially in higher elevations. The storm is also expected to produce catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides, leading to significant damage across multiple regions.
Authorities have urged all residents and travelers in affected areas to stay in safe shelters, especially with hurricane conditions expected to last for several hours.
What’s Next
As Hurricane Melissa continues its path across the Caribbean, the next major destination in its journey will be Jamaica, where residents are bracing for the worst. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has emphasized the importance of quick recovery, noting that Jamaica’s infrastructure may not be able to withstand the sheer force of the storm.
As the storm moves northward, Cuba is also preparing for possible landfall and is already in the process of evacuating over 600,000 people from affected areas. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos remain on high alert, with the storm forecasted to hit the southeastern Bahamas by Wednesday evening.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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