Powerful Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica, Cuba

As of October 27, 2025, Hurricane Melissa has developed into a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. The storm is currently located about 280 miles from Guantanamo, Cuba, and is expected to bring catastrophic impacts to Jamaica and southeastern Cuba in the next 48 hours.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Melissa is likely to produce devastating flash flooding and landslides across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica as it approaches the region. "The story here is really about the rain," said Jamie Rhome, deputy director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center. "If you're watching from Jamaica, conditions are going to go downhill rapidly through the day today. You need to just be wherever you're going to be and be ready to ride this out for several days."

Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a major hurricane on Monday night or Tuesday morning, and then move on to hit southeastern Cuba late Tuesday. Residents in the path of the storm are being urged to take immediate precautions and prepare for the potentially devastating impacts.