Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale early Monday, packing sustained winds of 160 mph as it edges toward Jamaica. The National Hurricane Center reported the storm’s center 205 miles south-southwest of Kingston, moving west at 5 mph, with landfall expected in southwestern Jamaica late Monday into Tuesday. This marks the third Category 5 of the 2025 Atlantic season, following rapid intensification from a tropical storm in under 48 hours. Jamaican officials issued a nationwide hurricane warning, closing all airports and urging immediate sheltering amid forecasts of up to 40 inches of rain in eastern areas.
The storm’s sluggish pace will prolong heavy impacts across the Caribbean, including southern Hispaniola and eastern Cuba. At least four deaths have been confirmed from initial bands, with one person missing. Evacuations are underway in low-lying zones, affecting thousands.
- Three fatalities in Haiti from landslides and falling trees.
- One death in the Dominican Republic due to flooding.
- Additional injuries reported in both nations from wind-related incidents.
Projected Path and Regional Warnings
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center predict Melissa will weaken slightly after Jamaica but remain a major hurricane upon reaching eastern Cuba Tuesday night. Hurricane warnings cover Jamaica and Cuban provinces including Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and Holguin, with tropical storm alerts for Las Tunas and parts of Haiti.
The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos face hurricane watches for central and southeastern regions, anticipating gusts over 100 mph by Wednesday. Melissa’s core will track over Jamaica’s south coast near Treasure Beach before curving north.
Eastern Cuba could see 6 to 18 inches of rain, raising concerns for flash flooding in mountainous terrain.
Evacuation Efforts in Kingston and Beyond
Jamaican authorities ordered evacuations for coastal communities, opening shelters for up to 50,000 residents. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz deployed teams to clear roads and distribute water, emphasizing compliance to avoid isolation during peak winds.
In Kingston, strong waves battered the Palisadoes Strip by dawn, with gusts already topping 50 mph in urban areas. The U.S. Navy evacuated non-essential personnel from Guantanamo Bay, preparing for potential base disruptions.
Vice President Desmond McKenzie warned that many communities risk isolation from landslides, complicating post-storm recovery.
Early Impacts in Haiti and Dominican Republic
Heavy rains from Melissa’s outer bands triggered landslides in Haiti’s southern peninsula, burying homes and cutting off remote villages. Rescue operations focused on elderly residents and children, with the UN World Food Programme distributing $900,000 in emergency cash to 9,500 households.
The Dominican Republic reported flooded streets in Santo Domingo, where one man drowned in a swollen river and a teenager remains missing after a coastal incident. Authorities prepositioned food for 4,000 families, while gangs in Haiti hindered access to some at-risk zones.
Infrastructure damage includes downed power lines and blocked highways, affecting over 10,000 people across both countries.
Melissa’s slow crawl—under 6 mph—amplifies rainfall totals, with models showing 15 to 30 inches widespread in Hispaniola through Wednesday, and isolated maxima exceeding 40 inches in Jamaica’s east. This deluge, combined with 10-foot storm surges, threatens ports and agriculture, potentially devastating banana and sugarcane crops. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency estimates recovery costs in the billions, drawing parallels to Hurricane Gilbert’s 1988 path.
Wind and Surge Dangers Intensify
Sustained winds of 160 mph will generate gusts over 200 mph near the eyewall, capable of stripping roofs and snapping large trees. Storm surge projections reach 12 feet along Jamaica’s south coast, inundating neighborhoods up to a mile inland.
Landslides pose the greatest threat in hilly regions, where saturated soils from prior rains heighten collapse risks. The National Hurricane Center advises against travel, as bridges and roads face washouts.
Meteorologist Evan Thompson noted this as Jamaica’s strongest direct hit in decades, with cleanup delayed by persistent flooding.
Historical Context for Caribbean Storms
Jamaica has endured major hurricanes since 1880, but none at Category 5 intensity upon landfall like Melissa. Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 brought 145 mph winds and $4 billion in damages, wiping out 80% of banana plantations.
Cuba’s eastern provinces have weathered 16 direct hits since 2000, including Matthew in 2016, which killed 10 and displaced 300,000 with 30 inches of rain. Irma’s 2017 sweep across the Bahamas caused $65 billion in regional losses and 44 deaths.
This season’s three Category 5s—Erin, Humberto, and now Melissa—highlight warmer Atlantic waters fueling rapid growth, per climate analyses.
Preparedness Measures Across Islands
Rescue teams in Jamaica conducted drills with all-terrain vehicles for remote access, stocking shelters with satellite radios and generators. The Red Cross prepositioned medical kits for 1.6 million at-risk children, per UNICEF estimates.
Cuba reinforced coastal barriers, evacuating 20,000 from vulnerable spots, while the Bahamas readied emergency broadcasts. International aid includes U.S. prepositioned supplies in Barbados for rapid deployment.
Updates from the National Hurricane Center continue every six hours, refining tracks via satellite and aircraft reconnaissance.
