Powerful Hurricane Melissa Slams Jamaica, Threatens Cuba

As of October 27, 2025, Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm as it nears the island of Jamaica. The hurricane, which is centered about 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston, is packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and is expected to make landfall on the island on Tuesday.

Forecasters warn that Melissa could be the strongest hurricane to directly hit Jamaica in decades, with the potential to bring catastrophic impacts. The storm is expected to dump up to 40 inches of rain in some eastern areas of the island, triggering flash flooding and numerous landslides. Additionally, a life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is predicted along Jamaica's southern coast.

The slow-moving Melissa has already caused significant damage in neighboring Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where it has killed at least four people and displaced thousands more. In Haiti, the storm has also destroyed crops, exacerbating an ongoing food crisis in the country.

As Melissa approaches, Jamaican authorities have urged residents to take the threat seriously and not "gamble" with the powerful storm. The hurricane is expected to continue westward, making another landfall in eastern Cuba on Tuesday before moving through the Bahamas on Wednesday.