Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica, Targets Cuba as Category 4 Storm
A very strong hurricane named Melissa hit Jamaica with high winds, causing a lot of damage and making many people lose electricity.
It was so powerful that it was considered the strongest storm ever recorded to hit Jamaica.
The storm also caused heavy rain and deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Now, Hurricane Melissa is moving towards Cuba as a strong Category 4 storm, and people there are being told to evacuate.
The storm's strength is linked to warmer ocean waters, which scientists say is happening more often because of climate change.
After Cuba, it is expected to move towards the Bahamas.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 4 storm, with sustained winds up to 185 mph.
The storm caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica, including to hospitals, homes, and infrastructure, with over 500,000 residents losing power.
At least seven deaths were reported across the affected regions before and during the storm's passage, with three in Jamaica during preparations and four in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to heavy rains.
Melissa is now tracking towards Cuba as a Category 4 storm, prompting evacuations for approximately 500,000 people.
Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of storms like Melissa to warming ocean waters and climate change, highlighting the vulnerability of Caribbean nations.
- Who
- Hurricane Melissa, residents of Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas
- What
- Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 4 storm, causing widespread damage and power outages, and is now heading towards Cuba. It brought torrential downpours to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
- When
- Tuesday (landfall in Jamaica, approaching Cuba)
- Where
- Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bahamas
- Why
- Hurricane Melissa intensified over unusually tepid Caribbean waters, becoming one of the most intense storms to impact the region.
Advocates for Climate Action and Reparations
Climate Change Skeptics or Those Opposing Reparations
Cause of Storm Intensification
Advocates for Climate Action and Reparations
Scientists and leaders like Colin Bogle and Caribbean leaders argue that warming ocean waters due to climate change are causing storms to intensify faster and more frequently. They often call for wealthy nations to provide aid or reparations.
Climate Change Skeptics or Those Opposing Reparations
While not explicitly stated in the article, the opposing view might question the direct link between human-caused climate change and individual storm intensity, or resist the concept of reparations from wealthier nations to island countries.
Climate Change Responsibility and Aid
Advocates for Climate Action and Reparations
Many Caribbean leaders and advocates emphasize that tropical island nations, having contributed little to climate change, disproportionately suffer its consequences and call for reparations from heavy-polluting nations.
Climate Change Skeptics or Those Opposing Reparations
This perspective might focus on immediate disaster relief and local preparedness without emphasizing global climate responsibility or financial reparations from developed nations, potentially viewing such calls as politically or economically unfeasible.
- Storm Intensity at Jamaica Landfall
- Category 4 (initially reported as Category 5 wind speeds)
- Landfall Location (Jamaica)
- Near New Hope, southwestern Jamaica
- Sustained Winds (Jamaica Landfall)
- Up to 185 mph (295 kph)
- Impacted Regions
- Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bahamas
- Fatalities (Reported prior to Jamaica landfall)
- At least 4 in Haiti and Dominican Republic; at least 3 in Jamaica during preparations
- Power Outages (Jamaica)
- Over 500,000 residents
- Evacuations (Cuba)
- 500,000 people
Sources
How Hurricane Melissa went from a tropical storm to the most powerful of the year
Explained: Why Hurricanes Like Melissa Are Becoming More Common
Hurricane Melissa: Rare peek inside the eye of life-threatening hurricane targeting Jamaica
Jamaica braces for catastrophic damage as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall as Category 5 storm
WATCH: US Air Force Plane Flies Into Hurricane Melissa; Video Captures Rare 'Stadium Effect' Inside World's Strongest Storm
Hurricane Melissa is now strongest storm of 2025: What makes it rare? Know about Category 5 storms
US Air Force Plane Flies Into Eye Of Storm Melissa, Captures Breathtaking Footage Of Nature's Fury
WMO says Hurricane Melissa will be Jamaica’s worst storm this century
Watch: ‘Hurricane hunters’ fly through eye of Category 5 Melissa, the strongest storm ever recorded
Melissa Tracker Live Updates On Category 5 Hurricane: When Will Hurricane Melissa Make Landfall in Jamaica?
Hurricane Melissa to bring ‘catastrophic situation’ to Jamaica in storm of the century
Watch: Why US Air Force plane flew into the eye of Hurricane Melissa
World's strongest storm in 174 years: Hurricane Melissa closes in on Jamaica as death toll rises to 7
Hurricane Melissa path tracker: ‘Storm of the century’ set to hit Jamaica with catastrophic impact
US Air Force squadron flies into eye of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa as storm rages through Caribbean — Watch
Stunning video captures inside of ‘monstrous’ eye of Hurricane Melissa as it heads to Jamaica | WATCH
Hurricane Melissa nears Jamaica, set to unleash ‘storm of the century’ on the Caribbean
‘Last chance to protect your life’: NHC warns Jamaicans as Hurricane Melissa approaches with ‘catastrophic winds’
Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica as Category 5 storm
US Military Moves Assets To Safety As Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica
Watch: US Air Force plane flies into the eye of Hurricane Melissa; Jamaica braced for catastrophic winds, flooding
Hurricane Melissa barrels toward Jamaica as Category 5 storm, threatening catastrophe
Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica's Strongest Storm In 174 Years, Makes Landfall
Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica as Catastrophic Category 5 Storm
Hurricane Melissa Jamaica: Treasure Beach 'Pole' Becomes Symbol Of Resilience As Live Cam Video Goes Viral
Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, expected to cause severe devastation
Hurricane Melissa makes landfall as Jamaica’s strongest-ever storm
Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as record-breaking Category 5 storm
Hurricane Melissa’s path threatens homes of Usain Bolt, Sean Paul and other stars
WATCH VIDEOS: Flooding, Destroyed Buildings as Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s strongest-ever storm, weakens to Category 4
Hurricane Melissa batters Jamaica with record 295kmph winds leaving trail of devastation
Jamaica’s strongest-ever storm, Hurricane Melissa, turns to Cuba
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Brings Flooding, Catastrophic Winds To Jamaica
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Brings Flooding, Catastrophic Winds To Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa barrels toward Cuba after pounding Jamaica
‘Storm of the century’ makes landfall in Jamaica as island braces for huge damage
Hurricane Melissa Brings Flooding and Catastrophic Winds to Jamaica
WATCH: Streets of Jamaica flood with water after Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc in the Caribbean island
Powerful Hurricane Melissa kills 7, brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica
‘Apocalyptic scenes’: Hurricane Melissa ravages Jamaica, Cuba braces next — See the visuals
Influencer Faces Backlash For Vacationing In Jamaica During Devastating Hurricane Melissa
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Jamaica With Record Strength
'The damage is catastrophic': Jamaica reels after Hurricane Melissa’s landfall; Cuba braces for impact
Hurricane Melissa LIVE Updates: Hurricane Melissa now Category 4 storm as it moves toward Cuba after Jamaica hit with flooding
'Storm of the century’: Why Hurricane Melissa, heading towards Cuba after Jamaica, is so devastating
