As Hurricane Melissa approaches the island, Jamaica is bracing for what is expected to be its strongest storm since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Classified as a Category 5 storm, winds should reach 160 miles (257 kilometres) per hour.
While Melissa began as a cluster of thunderstorms off the coast of West Africa, as it travelled west, it developed into a hurricane. It finally reached category 5 intensity on Monday while progressing over the Caribbean Sea. If the storm maintains its current strength and velocity, Hurricane Melissa is expected to strike Jamaica on Tuesday, 28 October, around midday. It would be the strongest hurricane ever to hit the island.
#BREAKING: Incredible view from inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa — now a Category 5 storm pic.twitter.com/Qva7aDtWpT
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) October 27, 2025
Stay inside
As the strong winds are expected to be accompanied by extremely high rainfall (up to 1,000 mm in some places), flash flooding, and landslides, the US National Hurricane Centre has warned of its likely very extensive damaging powers. That damage will hit the infrastructure, with long-duration power and communication outages to be expected. Due to the slow-moving nature of Hurricane Melissa, the extreme weather conditions are likely to continue for an extended period of time.
As the island’s main airports, Kingston and Montego Bay, are already closed and as there is no way for people to leave Jamaica at the moment, Jamaica’s authorities are warning residents and tourists alike to seek shelter and stay safe.
Visible satellite shows the eye of #Melissa and the sunlight highlighting the stadium effect at the core of that CAT5 (165mph) hurricane. This will make the turn towards #Jamaica later today and tonight. Stay with #weshwx for updates. pic.twitter.com/QKGQIdIKrW
— Tony Mainolfi (@TMainolfiWESH) October 27, 2025
“Life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica late Monday through Tuesday morning. Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are strongly advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal”, Jamaica’s meteorological service said in a statement.
In a video shared on social media, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness explained what people should expect from the storm, including a high risk of loss of life in certain areas. He urged everyone to take preparatory and precautionary measures before impact, urging everyone to stay sheltered in place.
Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 system and is now approximately 100 miles south of Kingston, moving slowly westward.
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) October 27, 2025
Based on current projections, all of Jamaica is likely to experience hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding.
The Government has… pic.twitter.com/GUd0FxuCmD
“My Jamaican family, we will weather this storm, and when the sky is clear, we will come together to restore and build stronger, prouder and more resilient than before. Keep safe, everyone. May God bless you, protect your families and keep safe our beloved Jamaica land, we love you”, Andrew Holness concluded in the statement.
Once the storm has passed Jamaica, it will likely travel towards Cuba, where it is expected as of late Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
