Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas
Hurricane Melissa intensified to a Category 5 storm today, October 27, 2025, and is poised to bring catastrophic conditions to Jamaica, with further impacts expected across southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas.
As of 10:26 AM EDT, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Melissa was centered approximately 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 315 miles south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and moving west at 3 mph. The storm is forecast to make landfall on Jamaica Monday night and Tuesday. Authorities warn that up to 30 inches of rain could fall on Jamaica, with isolated areas potentially receiving as much as 40 inches, increasing the risk of life-threatening flash floods and landslides. This level of rainfall could overwhelm infrastructure and displace communities.
“Destructive winds and storm surge and catastrophic flooding will worsen on Jamaica through the day and into tonight,” warned CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan. Jamaican officials are urging residents to take the threat seriously. “I want to urge Jamaicans to take this seriously,” said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council. “Do not gamble with Melissa. It’s not a safe bet.” A hurricane warning is in effect for several provinces in eastern Cuba, and up to 20 inches of rain are forecast for parts of the island. You can find more information about hurricane preparedness from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The slow-moving hurricane has already caused devastation in Hispaniola, with at least three deaths in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing. Melissa damaged over 750 homes in the Dominican Republic, displacing more than 3,760 people, and destroyed crops in Haiti, exacerbating existing food insecurity in a nation where millions already face crisis levels of hunger, as detailed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Officials are preparing for significant delays in cleanup and damage assessment due to anticipated landslides and flooding.
Authorities are continuing to monitor Melissa’s path and intensity, and are urging residents in affected areas to heed all warnings and evacuation orders.
