Powerful Hurricane Melissa Threatens to Become Jamaica's Strongest Storm on Record

As of October 26th, 2025, a powerful Category 4 hurricane named Melissa is slowly making its way toward Jamaica, with the potential to strengthen into a devastating Category 5 storm - the strongest on record for the Caribbean nation.

Melissa is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and is moving west at just 3 mph, centered about 110 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica's capital. Forecasters warn that the storm could intensify into a Category 5 hurricane overnight before weakening slightly to a Category 4 as it makes landfall on Tuesday morning.

The impending arrival of Melissa is expected to bring catastrophic impacts to Jamaica, regardless of whether it reaches Category 5 strength. The storm is forecast to dump 15 to 30 inches of rain across the island and southern Hispaniola, leading to life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. A dangerous storm surge of 9 to 13 feet above ground level, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is also predicted along the south coast of Jamaica.

Residents in Melissa's path are already taking precautions, with a hotel in Ocho Rios blocking off areas and placing sandbags, and the staff at Hope Zoo in Kingston working to protect over 1,500 animals by moving them indoors and boarding up outdoor exhibits. In the neighboring Dominican Republic, 82 people have already sought shelter, and 9 have been rescued from floodwaters.

Tragically, Melissa has already claimed the lives of four people, with three fatalities in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Experts warn that the storm could potentially become the strongest recorded to ever hit Jamaica, surpassing previous records.