Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica as Category 5 storm

1. Overview: Storm of the Century Hits Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall in Jamaica late on October 28, 2025, with sustained winds of 185 mph (297 km/h) and a central pressure of 892 millibars — ranking it provisionally as the third most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, according to the UK Met Office.

The storm unleashed catastrophic winds, torrential rains, and massive flooding across Jamaica before moving northwest toward Cuba, where authorities are now bracing for impact.

Dubbed the “storm of the century” by The Guardian, Melissa has already claimed at least seven lives across the Caribbean and caused widespread devastation, leaving thousands without electricity, shelter, or clean water.

2. Timeline: From Formation to Fury

• October 22: Tropical Depression Melissa forms east of the Windward Islands.

• October 24: Rapid intensification begins as Melissa becomes a Category 2 hurricane.

• October 26: The system explodes into a Category 4 storm near the Cayman Islands.

• October 28: Melissa achieves Category 5 strength before striking Jamaica’s south coast.

• October 29 (early hours): The storm weakens slightly to Category 4, moving toward Cuba.

Meteorologists described Melissa as an “unstoppable force” that intensified unusually fast, aided by record-warm Caribbean sea temperatures — a hallmark effect of climate change, experts said.

3. Ground Zero: Jamaica’s Worst Natural Disaster in Decades

According to Reuters and The New York Times, Melissa brought life-threatening storm surges, flooding rains exceeding 20 inches (500 mm), and gusts near 300 km/h, devastating infrastructure across Kingston, St. Elizabeth, and Clarendon parishes.

• Power outages: Over 80% of Jamaica plunged into darkness as electrical grids collapsed.

• Housing destruction: Thousands of homes have been flattened or submerged in low-lying coastal areas.

• Airports closed: Norman Manley International Airport suspended all operations.

• Roads and bridges: Multiple highways washed away by flash floods.

The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that it has begun emergency logistics and cash transfer programs, calling it Jamaica’s “worst storm ever.”

4. Humanitarian Crisis and UN Response

As the scale of destruction became clear, the United Nations launched a “sea-lift operation” to deliver emergency supplies and medical aid. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is monitoring disease risks due to standing water and damaged sanitation systems.

“We are working fast to support impacted communities. Emergency supplies are being airlifted and pre-positioned,” said a WFP spokesperson.

Local Red Cross teams and volunteers have been deployed in shelters, where tens of thousands of residents are taking refuge.

5. Climate Connection: Why Melissa Became So Extreme

A ClimaMeter analysis led by researcher Davide Faranda found that human-induced climate change made Hurricane Melissa up to 10% wetter and 10% windier than it would have been in a pre-industrial climate.

“Natural variability alone can’t explain the storm’s behavior — ocean warming is a key driver,” Faranda explained.

The Scientific American reported that sea surface temperatures near Jamaica reached 31°C (88°F), fueling rapid intensification. Experts warn that such hyper-intense hurricanes could become more frequent in the coming decades.

6. Economic and Environmental Fallout

According to Financial Times, investors expect Jamaica’s hurricane-triggered catastrophe bonds to be activated — a rare mechanism providing financial relief after disasters.

Meanwhile, coastal tourism infrastructure, including major resorts, has suffered billions in losses. The Weather Channel reported that resorts in Montego Bay and Negril had gone into full lockdown days before the storm hit.

Environmental experts fear severe coral reef damage and coastal erosion that could impact Jamaica’s ecosystem for years.

7. Cuba and Beyond: The Path Ahead

As of Wednesday morning, The Indian Express and CNN report that Hurricane Melissa has weakened slightly to Category 4, heading directly toward Cuba’s eastern coast.

Cuban authorities have evacuated more than 400,000 residents from vulnerable areas. The Weather Network warns that “catastrophic, life-threatening impacts” remain likely, with storm surges up to 20 feet expected.

Meteorologists are closely monitoring whether remnants of Melissa could later influence weather patterns in Florida or even the UK, as hinted by the UK Met Office.

8. Voices from the Storm: Human Stories

BBC and Sky News documented accounts of terrified residents and stranded tourists:

“The wind sounded like a freight train for hours. Windows shattered. We just held onto each other,” said a British tourist in Montego Bay.

From the U.S. Air Force’s hurricane hunter planes, pilots described “jaw-dropping but poignant” scenes flying through the storm’s eye, as shared by India Today and ABC News.

Even amid chaos, Jamaica’s Bishop, quoted by Detroit Catholic, said:

“Jamaicans trust that God is with us through the planet’s worst storm of 2025.”

9. Disinformation Alert: AI-Generated Fake Videos Circulate

With social media flooded by storm footage, CNET warned users to be cautious about AI-generated fake videos allegedly showing hurricane damage. Experts urged viewers to verify sources and follow official government updates.

10. Lessons from Melissa: Preparing for a New Climate Reality

Hurricane Melissa stands as a grim reminder that climate change is amplifying the power of natural disasters. Scientists, governments, and aid agencies emphasize the need for:

• Strengthened disaster preparedness systems

• Greater investment in resilient infrastructure

• Rapid global emission cuts

As the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) noted, Melissa exemplifies the “new normal” for Atlantic hurricanes in a warming world.

Final Word

Hurricane Melissa has rewritten Caribbean history — a Category 5 monster that tested human endurance, faith, and resilience. As Jamaica begins its long road to recovery and Cuba braces for the next blow, the world watches, reminded once again that the climate crisis is no longer tomorrow’s problem — it’s today’s reality.