Powerful Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica, Heads for Cuba

On October 29th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane as it approaches eastern Cuba. The storm made landfall in the southwestern part of Jamaica earlier this month with destructive winds and heavy rain.

Melissa struck Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph near the town of New Hope. The storm has been blamed for at least 7 deaths across the Caribbean region, including 3 in Jamaica, 3 in Haiti, and 1 in the Dominican Republic.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Melissa is "re-strengthening" ahead of its expected landfall in Cuba. The hurricane is forecast to remain a "powerful" system as it moves across the island nation, the Bahamas, and near Bermuda. "It will be the storm of the century for sure," said World Meteorological Organization tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan before the storm pummeled Jamaica.

Residents in Cuba have been told to "seek shelter immediately", while authorities in the Bahamas are urging people to complete preparations to protect life and property. Melissa is expected to bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening storm surge to the affected areas.