Jamaica prepares for Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm of 2025

A wave crashes in the Harbour View neighbourhood of Kingston, Jamaica, October 27, 2025.
Reuters

Three people have died in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, possibly the island’s strongest storm ever, approaches with “catastrophic” conditions, warn U.S. meteorologists.

The slow-moving storm is expected to drop between 15 and 30 inches of rain on Jamaica, with heavy rainfall also forecast for Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas, increasing the risk of landslides.

As Melissa hits Jamaica, winds of up to 130 mph (209 km/h) could trigger power outages and isolate communities, while storm surges of up to 13 feet are possible, with smaller surges predicted in southeastern Cuba.

The hurricane has already claimed three lives in Jamaica, and four more in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Experts warn that Melissa’s slow pace could result in prolonged torrential rain, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides across affected areas.

With maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (282 km/h), Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane, the highest classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale, and continues to intensify as it approaches landfall early Tuesday.

Authorities urge residents to take all precautions seriously, avoid low-lying areas, and follow evacuation orders as the storm threatens Jamaica and neighboring Caribbean nations.

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