A powerful hurricane with a clearly defined eye swirling over Caribbean islands, storm surge crashing against palm trees and buildings, dark ominous clouds, dramatic lighting, photorealistic style.
Hurricane Melissa: The Caribbean's Devastating Storm of 2025
Overview
Hurricane Melissa was the strongest storm ever recorded to strike Jamaica, making landfall as a Category 5 hurricane before weakening to Category 3 as it moved toward Cuba. The storm caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean region in late October 2025.
Meteorological History
Hurricane Melissa reached peak intensity as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph before making landfall in Jamaica. By the time it reached eastern Cuba on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, it had weakened to Category 3 status with sustained winds of 120 mph. Meteorologists ranked Melissa as the third most intense Caribbean hurricane after Wilma (2005) and Gilbert (1988).
Impact on Jamaica
The hurricane caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica, particularly in St. Elizabeth parish, which was completely submerged by floodwaters. Over 500,000 people lost power across the island, and widespread destruction occurred to infrastructure and housing. Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported major damage and anticipated fatalities, although no confirmed deaths had been reported initially. At least three deaths occurred during storm preparations, and several areas remained isolated due to the extensive damage.
Impact on Cuba
As Hurricane Melissa approached Cuba, authorities evacuated approximately 735,000 people in anticipation of the storm's impact. President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned of significant damage and urged compliance with evacuation orders as the hurricane made landfall in eastern Cuba.
Regional Effects
The storm's effects extended beyond Jamaica and Cuba:
- Heavy rains battered Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in at least four deaths
- The Bahamas, next in the storm's projected path, began evacuation procedures
- Widespread flash flooding and landslides threatened the entire Caribbean region
Climate Context
Climate scientists have linked the increasing severity of storms like Hurricane Melissa to warming ocean waters. Caribbean leaders continue to advocate for climate-related aid and reparations from wealthier nations, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable island nations.
Response and Recovery
Emergency response teams were deployed across affected regions, with international aid organizations mobilizing to assist with recovery efforts. The extensive damage to infrastructure complicated immediate relief operations, particularly in isolated areas cut off by flooding and landslides.
Hurricane Melissa served as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin and the urgent need for climate adaptation measures in vulnerable coastal communities.
The prompt for this was: hurricane melissa
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