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Jamaica Faces Catastrophic Hurricane Melissa, One of the Strongest on Record
27 Oct
Summary
- Hurricane Melissa is a rare Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds
- It will be Jamaica's strongest hurricane on record, with a central pressure of 908 millibars
- Fewer than half of the strongest hurricanes hit land at such intensity
On October 27, 2025, a powerful Category 5 hurricane named Melissa is poised to strike Jamaica with devastating force. Melissa has sustained winds of 165 mph and a central pressure of 908 millibars, making it one of the strongest hurricanes on record.
Only about 4% of Atlantic hurricanes ever reach Category 5 strength, and fewer than half of the most intense storms go on to hit land at such extreme intensity. Yet Melissa is set to become Jamaica's strongest hurricane in recorded history, dating back to the 1850s.
The impending landfall poses a grave threat to the island nation. Even weaker storms have caused tremendous damage and loss of life in Jamaica, such as Hurricane Charlie in 1951, which killed over 150 people. Melissa's powerful winds, storm surge, and torrential rainfall are expected to unleash catastrophic destruction across the country's mountainous terrain.
