Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall In Jamaica As Category 5 Storm

Last Updated:October 28, 2025, 23:13 IST

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, causing catastrophic flooding, power outages, and at least seven deaths across the Caribbean.

A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront. (AFP)

Hurricane Melissa: Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, bringing ferocious winds and torrential rain in what officials say is the most powerful storm to hit the island nation in nearly two centuries.

According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Hurricane made landfall with an estimated maximum sustained wind speed of 185 mph (295 km/h). Despite quickening slightly, the Category 5 storm was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour).

It has ripped through coastal towns, uprooting trees, toppling power lines, and flooding homes as authorities warn that the worst impacts may still be unfolding. Widespread power outages have left nearly half the island without electricity, while communication networks remain severely disrupted.

Officials warned of catastrophic damage, with at least seven deaths reported across the Caribbean. Mandatory evacuations and pre-positioned aid are underway as the island braces for devastation.

According to The New York Times, at least seven people have died across the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. Authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations, and the United Nations weather agency warned of “a catastrophic situation" for the island nation.

Forecasters warned of storm surges up to 13 feet (4 metres) and rainfall exceeding 70 cm, sparking life-threatening floods and landslides. As per forecasters, the Category 5 storm is expected to weaken slightly to Category 4 strength as it crosses Jamaica before heading toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday warned that Hurricane Melissa will bring “catastrophic damage" to Jamaica, saying no infrastructure can fully withstand the force of a Category 5 storm.

“There is no infrastructure in this region, or maybe anywhere in the world, that could withstand a category five hurricane without some level of damage," Holness said in an interview with CNN.

Meanwhile, the government has opened over 800 shelters nationwide, as reported by news agency AP. The International Federation of the Red Cross estimated that up to 1.5 million people in Jamaica could be directly affected. Officials warned that flooding could isolate communities and disrupt emergency response efforts.

Melissa is one of the strongest hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic basin, tied with only two other storms — 2019’s Dorian and 1935’s Labor Day hurricane. Previously, the strongest storm to make landfall in Jamaica was 1988’s devastating Hurricane Gilbert. Gilbert was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall just west of Kingston, according to CNN.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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News world Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall In Jamaica As Category 5 Storm

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