Jamaica bracing for strongest storm in its history

Jamaica is staring down what could be the most powerful storm in its recorded history and the strongest storm anywhere in the world of 2025 so far.

Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 system with sustained winds of 175mph (280kmph), is expected to make landfall on Tuesday, bringing with it catastrophic flooding, landslides, and widespread devastation.

Forecasters say Melissa’s intensity could make it the strongest hurricane to strike the island since records began in 1851.

The US National Hurricane Center warns of a storm surge up to 13ft (4m) in Kingston, threatening the capital’s critical infrastructure, including the main international airport and power plants.

“This can become a true humanitarian crisis very quickly,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather. “There is likely going to be the need for a lot of international support.”

Shweta Sharma28 October 2025 03:21

In photos: Jamaica braces for Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica is bracing for Hurricane Melissa as the Category 5 storm is expected to make landfall early Tuesday morning.

A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on Monday (AFP via Getty Images)A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal on Monday (AFP via Getty Images)A gas station worker in Kingston wraps a gas pump on Monday (REUTERS)

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 03:00

Satellite image shows lightning flashing within the eye of Hurricane Melissa

A satellite image has shown lightning flashing within the eye of Hurricane Melissa as it moves across the Caribbean Sea on Monday.

Lightning flashes within the eye of Hurricane Melissa (CSU/CIRA & NOAA via REUTERS)

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 02:30

Watch: Meteorologist who flew into eye of Hurricane Melissa calls it the ‘most breathtaking’ and ‘horrifying’ experience

Matthew Cappucci, a meteorologist from The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang, recalls his flight into the eye of Hurricane Melissa as “one of the most breathtaking and simultaneously horrifying experiences I’ve ever had” in a CNN interview Monday night.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 02:15

Jamaican minister says there’s been 15 reports of Hurricane Melissa’s damage

Jamaica’s Minister for Works, Robert Morgan, has said there’s been 15 reports of Hurricane Melissa’s damage.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness wrote on X Monday night, “Minister Robert Morgan said the Emergency Operations Centre received 15 reports of fallen trees, landslides, and downed power lines, with all but one road reopened, the remaining blockage is near St. Ann’s Bay.”

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 02:00

What we know about Hurricane Melissa as it barrels toward Jamaica

• Hurricane Melissa is now the planet’s strongest storm of the year as it barrels toward Jamaica with powerful Category 5 winds.
• Melissa will finish turning to the north by the end of Monday and will then officially head towards Jamaica, The Weather Channel’s digital meteorologist Rob Shackelford reported.
• The storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 175 mph, is expected to make landfall in Jamaica early Tuesday morning.
• Parts of Jamaica will see rainfall of 15 to 30 inches through Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
• The storm is expected to hit Cuba later Tuesday, and weather warnings have been issued for the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos.
• At least seven people in the Caribbean have died, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 01:39

Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to seven after three confirmed dead in Jamaica

At least seven people have died in the Caribbean as Hurricane Melissa barrels toward Jamaica.

Jamaica’s health minister, Christopher Tufton, confirmed three people had died because of the storm, which has evolved into a Category 5.

Tufton said at a Monday night news conference one of those dead was a health care worker who was hit by a falling, adding that 13 more people have been injured, per The New York Times.

Three more people in Haiti and another person in the Dominican Republic have also died.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 01:33

Jamaica’s prime minister says over 800 shelters are ready as he urges citizens to follow evacuation orders

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Monday more than 800 shelters are ready as he urged citizens to follow evacuation orders.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 01:00

Jamaica’s national police has mobilized thousands in preparation for Hurricane Melissa

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has mobilized 12,000 personnel and has another 2,000 officers on standby in preparation for Hurricane Melissa.

“Be assured that the Jamaica Constabulary Force is fully prepared and dedicated to safeguarding the lives and property of all Jamaicans and guests during this challenging time. We will do everything in our power to support the nation through Hurricane Melissa,” Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Strategic Operations, Warren Clarke, told the country on Monday.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 00:40

Hurricane Melissa to bring ‘catastrophic and life-threatening’ conditions to Jamaica starting later tonight

Hurricane Melissa is set to bring “catastrophic and life-threatening” winds, flooding and storm surge to Jamaica starting later tonight, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center warned in a bulletin Monday night.

The core of the Category 5 storm is expected to move near or over Jamaica by early Tuesday morning.

It will then move across southeastern Cuba Tuesday night and over the southeastern or central Bahamas Wednesday.

Hurricane conditions are also possible in the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday.

Rachel Dobkin28 October 2025 00:13