Powerful Hurricane Melissa Threatens Catastrophic Impacts Across Caribbean

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, is creeping toward Jamaica with 175 mph winds. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center warn that Melissa is expected to have catastrophic impacts on islands in the northern Caribbean, with even stronger winds in elevated locations and up to 40 inches of rain in some areas.

Melissa is forecast to move near or over Jamaica through Tuesday, across southeastern Cuba on Wednesday morning, and across the southeastern Bahamas later on Wednesday. The hurricane center says historic, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the Dominican Republic through the weekend. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels when the storm makes landfall, accompanied by large and powerfully destructive waves.

AccuWeather's Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warns that "extreme impacts could last for hours in places in the path of the eyewall as the hurricane crosses the island." He urges people to be prepared to hunker down for days as Melissa barrels through the region.