Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Threatens Jamaica with Potential Major Hurricane

As of October 25, 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa, named after the Allman Brothers Band song, is rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday. The storm, currently located 160 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, is packing sustained winds of 70 mph and is moving west-northwest at just 1 mph.

Melissa is forecast to bring significant, life-threatening impacts to the region, with the National Hurricane Center warning of 8 to 14 inches of rain in southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Sunday night. Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are anticipated in southern Haiti, while northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, leading to flash and urban flooding.

While the Sarasota-Manatee area in Florida has so far avoided direct impact from Melissa, the Atlantic hurricane season continues through November, and residents are advised to remain vigilant. The storm's slow motion and large forecast uncertainty mean that the potential for a more significant storm surge, especially along the south coast of Jamaica, cannot be ruled out in the coming days.