Hurricane Melissa made catastrophic landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a Category 5 storm, marking the strongest hurricane in the nation’s history. Striking near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica, it exhibited maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a central pressure of 892 millibars, tying it with the notorious 1935 Labor Day hurricane and Hurricane Dorian from 2019 as one of the most intense Atlantic storms on record.
The storm’s impact was devastating, particularly in St. Elizabeth parish, where extensive flooding submerged entire communities. Over half a million residents were left without power, and the only public hospital in the area suffered major structural damage, including a roof collapse. The hurricane resulted in at least three reported fatalities in Jamaica, with additional deaths noted in neighboring countries.
In response to the disaster, Jamaican authorities have urgently sought international aid, requesting $33 million in emergency funds. The World Meteorological Organization has referred to Hurricane Melissa as Jamaica’s “storm of the century,” highlighting the unprecedented scale of the disaster. While the storm has weakened to a Category 4 and is moving toward Cuba, Cuban authorities have preemptively evacuated 500,000 residents in anticipation of its arrival.
Meteorologists classify Melissa as the third most intense hurricane in Caribbean history, following Wilma (2005) and Gilbert (1988). The storm’s unprecedented strength emphasizes the critical need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies in the region. As recovery efforts continue, officials urge residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders, as the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and international assistance remains crucial for recovery efforts.
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