Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica

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Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as one of the most powerful landfalls in the Atlantic Basin since records began 174 years ago, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The hurricane made landfall as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds on Tuesday afternoon in southwestern Jamaica, near New Hope. The storm was downgraded to a Category 4 storm later Tuesday, but “damaging winds, catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge” have continued, the NHC said.

The storm’s center is expected to move off Jamaica on Tuesday night and make landfall in southeastern Cuba early Wednesday morning, NHC Director Michael Brennan said. Residents in both Jamaica and Cuba should take shelter, according to the NHC.

At least seven people have died in the Caribbean so far, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.

“It will be the storm of the century for sure,” World Meteorological Organization tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan said before the storm pummeled the island.

About 15,000 Jamaicans are in shelters, and more than 530,000 electric customers are without power, Jamaican officials said on Tuesday afternoon.

Jamaica going through ‘one of its worst periods’

Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said Tuesday the nation is going through one of its worst periods as Hurricane Melissa batters the island.

“Jamaica has gone through what I can call one of its worst periods,” he said. “Our infrastructure has been severely compromised.”

“Saint Elizabeth is the breadbasket of the country, and that has taken a beating,” he continued. “The entire Jamaica has felt the brunt of Melissa.”

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 22:51

Jamaican hospitals devastated

Several Jamaican hospitals have been devastated by Hurricane Melissa, according to Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development.

The Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth Parish is “without power” and had a section of its roof damaged on Tuesday, McKenzie said.

Falmouth Hospital, which is in northern Jamaica, was “affected by storm surge and high water level” nearby, according to McKenzie. The Cornwall Regional Hospital was also impacted by “flooding and strong winds,” he explained.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 22:44

More than 500,000 Jamaicans without power

About 15,000 Jamaicans are currently in shelters, according to Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development.

There are also more than 530,000 people without electricity on the island, McKenzie said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 22:37

Hurricane Melissa underwent extreme rapid intensification

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica today as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.

The storm went through a process called extreme rapid intensification, which means it gained at least 58 mph in wind speed over just 24 hours.

Read more about this record-setting storm:

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 22:18

What to expect from Hurricane Melissa tonight

Hurricane Melissa has started to move away from Jamaica and is now moving towards eastern Cuba.

The National Hurricane Center has provided a summary of need-to-know information about the devastating storm this evening:

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 22:00

Preparation in the Bahamas for Hurricane Melissa should be completed tonight: NHC

As Hurricane Melissa moves away from Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center has warned that “preparations to protect life and property” in the Bahamas should be completed by tonight.

A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for the southeastern and central Bahamas.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 21:50

What watches and warnings are in effect?

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

• Jamaica
• Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas
• Southeastern and Central Bahamas

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• Haiti
• Cuban province of Camaguey
• Turks and Caicos Islands

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 21:39

Hurricane Melissa to make landfall in Cuba early Wednesday morning

National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said Hurricane Melissa will likely make landfall in southeastern Cuba early Wednesday morning.

“The center of Melissa is expected to make landfall somewhere along the southeastern coast of Cuba in the early morning hours of Wednesday as a powerful major hurricane,” Brennan said during a 5:15 p.m. update.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 21:19

Hurricane Melissa’s center to move off Jamaica tonight

Hurricane Melissa’s center will move off Jamaica this evening before heading toward Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“On the forecast track, the core of Melissa will move away from western Jamaica this evening,” the agency said. “After that, the center is expected to move over southeastern Cuba later tonight and early Wednesday morning, move across the southeastern or central Bahamas later on Wednesday, and approach Bermuda Thursday and Thursday night.”

The Southeastern and Central Bahamas, as well as the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas, are under a hurricane warning as of Tuesday evening.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 21:12

25,000 tourists currently in Jamaica

There are about 25,000 tourists currently in Jamaica, according to Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, the country’s minister for education, skills, youth and information.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica earlier today.

Katie Hawkinson28 October 2025 20:58