Hurricane Melissa roared ashore over western Jamaica at 1 p.m. EDT on October 28 as a high-end Category 5 storm, with 185 mph winds and a central pressure of 892 mb. The storm ties Melissa with the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane on record. For Jamaicans, the destruction exceeded previous disasters, with catastrophic flooding, storm surge, and landslides across the western half of the island. Hurricane Melissa is now considered one of the most powerful storms in Atlantic history.
Meteorologists and residents alike followed Hurricane Melissa closely. The storm’s winds and rainfall already set historic records. Like Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage, but its intensity was amplified by climate change. Experts tracking Hurricane Melissa live noted that the storm’s strength would have been unlikely without warmer ocean waters and atmospheric shifts. The Hurricane Melissa path map shows its projected movement across the region, signaling ongoing threats to nearby islands.
Hurricane Melissa’s Historic Landfall
This camera is currently in the eye of #Melissa. And man… this is wild. https://t.co/Zv95CgOI3F pic.twitter.com/75PkoIDKyQ
— James Pettus (@PettusWX) October 28, 2025
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with unprecedented force. The western part of the island, where structures were less robust, suffered severe wind damage. Kingston and other eastern areas avoided the worst, but heavy rains caused flooding and landslides. Local weather stations reported between 4.77 and 7.02 inches of rain in just 36 hours, while storm surges reached up to 13 feet along the coast. According to Yale Climate Connections, climate change likely boosted Melissa’s winds by around 10 mph, making this record-breaking landfall possible.
Hurricane Hunter aircraft faced extreme turbulence while flying into Melissa’s eyewall. Dropsonde instruments recorded wind gusts up to 252 mph, a potential world record at that altitude. These extreme conditions emphasize the storm’s historic power and show how Atlantic hurricanes can intensify rapidly, threatening lives and property.
Hurricane Melissa’s Path and Ongoing Threat
After striking Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa moved northeast toward eastern Cuba, Haiti, and the southeastern Bahamas. Heavy rains and mudslides are expected to remain the main hazards, though winds and storm surge still threaten coastal communities. Forecasts using the Hurricane Melissa path map indicate that the storm could maintain major hurricane strength over Cuba. Authorities urged continued vigilance and preparation as the storm progressed.
Melissa’s path may later bring it near Bermuda and impact Atlantic Canada with heavy rainfall. Relief organizations have mobilized, reflecting the human cost of this historic hurricane. Hurricane Melissa’s intensity and reach reinforce its record-setting status and the urgent risks posed by climate change to vulnerable Atlantic regions.