Tropical Storm Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction in Haiti and Jamaica

As of October 25th, 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa is battering the southwestern peninsula of Haiti and portions of Jamaica, with hurricane watches in effect for the region. The storm has already proven deadly, with Haiti's civil protection agency reporting three fatalities - two from a landslide in Port-au-Prince and one from a falling tree on the south coast.

The National Hurricane Center warns that Melissa's slow movement will lead to a prolonged period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides across southwestern Haiti and eastern Jamaica. Extensive damage to roads and buildings is expected, potentially isolating communities for an extended period.

Melissa is forecast to be a prolific rainmaker, dumping between 10 and 20 inches of rain across the affected areas through Monday, with even higher local amounts possible. This torrential rainfall will result in catastrophic flooding and numerous landslides.

Scientists say the overheating planet is fueling stronger tropical cyclones, with Melissa the latest example. Recent research suggests that warmer sea surface temperatures may contribute to an increased fraction of storms undergoing rapid intensification, as seen with three out of the four hurricanes that have formed during this year's Atlantic hurricane season.