Powerful Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Poised to Devastate Jamaica

As of October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, is rapidly approaching Jamaica and is expected to make landfall early on Tuesday morning. Melissa has strengthened significantly, now packing sustained winds of 175 mph and a central pressure of 903 mb, making it the strongest tropical cyclone on Earth so far this year.

The hurricane is moving very slowly at just 2 mph, and catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane-force wind conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica on Monday night and continue into early Tuesday. Residents and tourists are being urged to shelter in place, as the storm is forecast to bring catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall of up to 40 inches, and a devastating storm surge of up to 13 feet along the southern coast.

Jamaican officials have issued evacuation orders for several vulnerable coastal areas, including Port Royal in Kingston, Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon, Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine, and New Haven, Riverton City, and Taylor Land in St. Andrew. The prime minister has stressed the importance of heeding these orders, saying, "There is no possession or pride that is as important as a single life."

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica has also warned Americans in the area to prepare to shelter in place, as the three international airports on the island have been closed. Cruise lines have also been forced to alter their itineraries to avoid the storm.