Home / Disasters and Accidents / Melissa Ties Record as Strongest Atlantic Hurricane to Hit Jamaica
Melissa Ties Record as Strongest Atlantic Hurricane to Hit Jamaica
28 Oct
Summary
- Hurricane Melissa makes catastrophic landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm
- Winds reach 185 mph, tying the record for strongest Atlantic hurricane landfall
- Widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage expected across the island
On October 29, 2025, Hurricane Melissa roared ashore in Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, unleashing 185 mph winds, blinding rain, and torrents of floodwater that rushed through cities and neighborhoods. The storm, one of the most powerful on record, has left a trail of destruction across the island.
Melissa has now weakened slightly to a still-dangerous Category 4 hurricane as it moves off Jamaica's northern coast and heads toward Cuba. However, life-threatening flooding and the potential for deadly landslides are expected to continue across Jamaica in the storm's wake. Forecasters warn that the mountainous terrain of the island could produce even stronger winds, with gusts potentially reaching over 200 mph in some areas.
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for Bermuda as Melissa tracks northeast through the Atlantic. Residents and visitors in Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos are being urged to take shelter and avoid leaving until the storm has completely passed.
