Hurricane Melissa Strikes Jamaica, Heads Toward Eastern Cuba

Kingston, Jamaica – Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane on October 28, 2025, becoming one of the most powerful landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin.

As it approaches eastern Cuba, Melissa has since weakened to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The storm is expected to restrengthen before making its second landfall on Cuba as a major hurricane.

Jamaican officials reported that more than 530,000 residents, which accounts for over 77% of electricity customers, are without power following the storm. Minister Desmond McKenzie stated that efforts are underway to restore electricity, prioritizing critical facilities like hospitals and water stations.

Among the affected facilities is the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, where 75 patients were evacuated due to structural damage and loss of power. McKenzie confirmed that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is assessing the situation.

Hurricane Melissa is tied with Hurricane Dorian from 2019 and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 for the strongest sustained winds at landfall. Notably, Melissa is also recognized as the strongest storm in history to hit Jamaica, surpassing Hurricane Gilbert, which was a Category 4 hurricane in 1988.

As of the latest updates, the hurricane warning for Jamaica has been downgraded to a tropical storm warning as Melissa continues to move away from the island.