Jamaica Braces for Strongest Hurricane Landfall in Recorded History

On October 26, 2025, Jamaica is bracing for the strongest hurricane landfall the island has experienced in recorded history. According to the National Hurricane Center, Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica as an upper-end Category 4 hurricane, which could be the strongest direct hit the island has faced since tropical cyclone record-keeping began in the Atlantic Basin.

While Melissa could potentially strengthen into a Category 5 storm before landfall, the practical difference between the two categories is minimal. Regardless of the final classification, the island will face catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall, and the threat of devastating mudslides. The slow movement of the storm is expected to exacerbate the conditions, making the impact even more severe.

Jamaica has faced direct hurricane hits in the past, such as Hurricane Charlie in 1951, Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, all of which were Category 3 storms or weaker. However, the island has also experienced significant damage from powerful storms that passed nearby, including Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Hurricane Dean in 2007. These brushes with major hurricanes have caused widespread flooding, power outages, and damage to infrastructure, underscoring the island's vulnerability to these powerful weather systems.