Catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica, Heads Towards Cuba

As of October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, has begun battering Jamaica with devastating winds and heavy rains. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has reported that Melissa is packing sustained winds of 165 mph, making it the largest hurricane on record to hit the Caribbean island.

The slow-moving storm, currently located 145 miles southwest of Kingston, is expected to bring catastrophic damage to Jamaica, with forecasters warning of extensive infrastructure damage, long-lasting power and communication outages, and isolated communities. Residents have been warned to expect up to 3 feet of rainfall, a level never before seen on the island.

Neighboring countries in the storm's path are also bracing for impact. In Cuba, authorities have evacuated over 500,000 people living in coastal and mountainous areas vulnerable to Melissa's heavy winds and flooding. More than 250,000 people have been brought to shelters around Santiago de Cuba, the island's second-largest city, which lies directly in the hurricane's predicted path.

The eastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are also expected to face the wrath of Hurricane Melissa as it continues its northeastward track towards Bermuda later this week. While the storm is not expected to directly impact the United States, the East Coast is likely to experience rough surf and minor coastal flooding.