Melissa formed from a tropical wave that was first monitored for development on October16. The wave originated from West Africa,traveled from the central Atlantic to the Windward Islands,and then moved quickly westward into the Caribbean Sea,where it slowed down and developed into Tropical Storm Melissa on October21. Weak steering currents and moderate wind shear kept Melissa meandering and disorganized for the next few days as it slowly moved northwest. Over the following days,Melissa became better organized,and from October25 to27,rapidly intensified into a Category5 hurricane before making landfall near New Hope,Jamaica,at its peak intensity,on October28. Melissa emerged from the north coast of Jamaica later that day,weakened,and made landfall near Chivirico,Cuba,the next day. Melissa weakened to a Category1 hurricane after landfall,approached Bermuda as a Category2 hurricane,then again weakened before becoming a hurricane-force extratropical low on October31 northeast of Bermuda. The remnants of Melissa then passed near Newfoundland,and gradually weakened over the next few days until dissipating on November4.
In Hispaniola,even though Melissa itself stayed far to the southwest,its outer rainbands produced heavy rains over the island,leading to severe and deadly flash floods and landslides. Jamaica saw catastrophic damage from Melissa,with several locations near the point of landfall experiencing almost total destruction,especially around the Westmoreland and Saint Elizabeth parishes. Significant agricultural and infrastructure damage occurred in these regions due to storm surge,flooding,and high wind gusts from Melissa's eyewall passing over. Many towns in western Jamaica were also significantly flooded as a result,which also hampered recovery efforts. Telecommunications were also severely affected,especially in the western parts of Jamaica. In all,102deaths were attributed to Melissa,including 54 in Jamaica,45 direct and 9 indirect,and 43 in Haiti. Estimated monetary losses in Jamaica are near US$10 billion.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On October16, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a westward moving tropical wave for potential development.[2] By October19, the wave moved through the Windward Islands and into the Caribbean Sea.[3] The disturbance moved quickly westward, then slowed significantly, providing an opportunity for development of a well-defined center and organized deep convection early on October21, becoming Tropical Storm Melissa.[4] On account of weak steering currents between ridges of high pressure to its northwest and southeast, Melissa moved slowly and erratically west to northwest over the central Caribbean, and was unable to strengthen appreciably due to westerly wind shear from a broad upper level trough moving over the Gulf of Mexico; the circulation would constantly reform to the east during this period.[5] The trough then bypassed Melissa, resulting in a gradual decrease in the shear.[6] This allowed Melissa to become much better organized and strengthen, and increased outflow became apparent in the eastern half of the system as it slowly drifted north on October25.[7] By this time, the northern motion halted as Melissa was increasingly being steered by the ridge to its northwest.[8]
Enabled by very favorable environmental conditions, consisting of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of 86–88°F (30–31°C), very high ocean heat content, wind shear decreasing to lighter values, and very high levels of mid-level relative humidity, Melissa commenced a period of rapid intensification late on October25 shortly after it became a hurricane that afternoon. Its maximum sustained winds doubled from 70mph (110km/h) to 140mph (230km/h) in 18hours.[9] After a brief pause, intensification resumed, and while moving generally westward, Melissa attained Category5 status early on October27.[10] Unusually for a storm of such high intensity, Melissa never underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, allowing it to sustain its high intensity for a prolonged period, according to several meteorologists.[11][12] After turning north-northeastward, the system later attained maximum sustained winds of 185mph (295km/h), and a minimum central pressure of 892 mbar (hPa) (26.34inHg) about 45mi (70km) south-southeast of Negril, Jamaica, the next morning.[13] At 17:00UTC, the storm made landfall near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish at its peak intensity.[14] The hurricane weakened inland over the mountains, and emerged off Jamaica's north coast into the Caribbean at Category4 strength, headed toward Cuba.[15] The system then further weakened to a Category3 hurricane soon thereafter.[16]
Most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricanes Intensity is measured solely by central pressure
After briefly re-strengthening to Category4, with sustained winds of 130mph (210km/h),[21] the hurricane made landfall in eastern Cuba at 07:10UTC on October29 about 20mi (30km) east of Chivirico, with sustained Category3 winds of 120mph (195km/h).[22] Inland, the rugged terrain of Cuba led to additional weakening, and the storm's sustained winds falling to low-end Category2 strength by the time Melissa moved back offshore, into the Atlantic Ocean, eight hours later.[23] The system then weakened to Category1 strength, while beginning to accelerate toward the northeast,[24] passing near Long Island while traversing the Bahamas that same afternoon.[25] Late that day, the storm re-strengthened once more to Category2 intensity,[26] attaining sustained winds of 105mph (165km/h), as it headed towards Bermuda on the morning of October30.[27] Increasing wind shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures caused Melissa to undergo extratropical transition early on October31,[28] and to weaken again to Category1 strength, as it passed near Bermuda.[29] Melissa completed its transition to a hurricane-force extratropical cyclone that same day.[30]
Globally, the highest wind gust ever measured by dropsonde–252mph (406km/h), released by NOAA Hurricane Hunters at an altitude of 657ft (200m); the previous record was 248mph (399km/h) by Typhoon Megi in 2010.[32][33]
Tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for most intense Atlantic hurricanes at landfall in terms of lowest barometric pressure,[36] and with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, and Hurricane Dorian, for the strongest landfalling hurricane in the Atlantic in terms of maximum sustained winds;[34] also the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Jamaica on record.[37]
Melissa experienced extreme rapid intensification as it drifted slowly over waters that were 2.5°F (1.4°C) warmer than average, sea conditions that two rapid attribution studies[25][38] estimated to be 500–900 times more likely to be that warm because of human-caused climate change.[39][40] Additionally, climate change is estimated by these studies to have strengthened the hurricane's top wind speed by about 10mph (16km/h), thus increasing its potential to inflict damage by up to 50%.[39][40] Also, rainfall was estimated to be up to 10% higher due to climate change.[41]
Preparations
Greater Antilles
Satellite imagery of Melissa from October21 through 31
The U.S. National Weather Service in Puerto Rico issued a flood warning for several municipalities due to potential heavy rains from the outer bands of Melissa on October22.[51]
Satellite animation of Hurricane Melissa making landfall in Jamaica on October 28
The Ministry of Transportation of Jamaica deployed 30 buses for the emergency situation in Portmore, Spanish Town, Rockfort, and Montego Bay.[61] The National Water Commission mobilized teams and equipment.[62] The University of the West Indies ordered the evacuation of its students in Mona,[63] and graduation ceremonies at the Mona campus were postponed.[64] Sandy Gully in Saint Andrew was de-silted as the storm approached.[65] The National Water Commission gave access to clean drinking water to over 548,000people in preparation for the arrival of Melissa.[66] On October24, public institutions including the National Gallery of Jamaica and the Bob Marley Museum closed.[67] On October25, all airports were shut down.[54] Shelters were opened at various locations, and by October27, 1,700people had evacuated.[68] Some shelters were closed as residents were arriving, forcing them to wait outside.[68] The government also reported that misinformation was dissuading people from using shelters.[68]Black River High School was confused as a shelter and some people went there.[69] Additionally, services and transportation associated with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company were suspended.[70]
Elsewhere
On October17, a yellow adverse weather alert was issued for Trinidad and Tobago as the precursor of Melissa approached.[71][72] On October18, a yellow alert was also issued in Martinique.[73] That same day, a flash flood warning was issued in Barbados.[74]
In Curaçao, Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas closed schools on the island to allow for greater flexibility in the operation of emergency services.[75]
Colombia issued yellow alerts along its Atlantic coast for rough seas.[76]
A hurricane warning was issued for Bermuda.[82]The Causeway, buses, and L.F. Wade International Airport were closed on the evening of October 30 and reopened October 31. Several ferry routes were closed on October30 and all were closed on October31. Cedarbridge Academy opened as a shelter on October 30. Government offices closed on October 30.[83]
After the storm, outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses occurred, with reports of 700 cases of chikungunya per day and over 50,000 hospitalized due to the disease.[87]
Melissa's outer rain bands resulted in heavy rainfall in Guánica on October24,[88] affecting nearly 400families and causing damage to buildings and infrastructure.[51]
Haiti
In Haiti, 43people were killed and 13 were missing;[89] deaths include three from a landslide near Port-au-Prince,[90][91][92] another by a falling tree in Marigot,[93] and 25 after a river burst its banks in Petit-Goâve,[94] while 15others were injured by a collapsing wall in Artibonite Department. Six medical facilities and at least 450homes were damaged across the country.[95][96] By November 1, 2025, 15,800people were located in shelter.[97]
Dominican Republic
Across the country, more than 1.1million[98] people were without water supply after heavy rainfall and flooding disrupted water supply systems, including in Pedro Brand, Los Alcarrizos, and Santo Domingo Oeste.[99] It was reported that 56aqueducts were out of service.[52] A lane of a road in María Trinidad Sánchez collapsed.[52] A façade fell off of a hospital in Constanza due to rains, leading to the hospital suspending operations.[100] A 71-year-old man died after being swept away by a swollen river in Santo Domingo Norte,[101] while a child in Los Mameyes went missing during the heavy rainfall.[102] A total of four people were reported dead across the country.[103]
Jamaica
Eyewall of Melissa photographed by U.S. Air Force53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters" on October27
By October27, prior to Melissa's landfall on Jamaica, three people in Saint Elizabeth, Saint Catherine, and Hanover parishes died of indirect causes and 13others were injured while preparing for the hurricane.[84] Flooding was reported in Old Harbour, while multiple communities in Saint Elizabeth parish had lost power by 06:00 local time.[104] By 15:00UTC, about 200,000customers, or 35% of Jamaica's homes and businesses, were left without power.[105] Around 52,000Jamaica Public Service customers lost power as Melissa approached the island.[106] This number rose to 530,000people after Melissa struck the island.[107] The parishes of Saint Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Saint James, Trelawny, and Hanover, which received the worst of Melissa's impacts, lost all communication.[108]
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in New Hope, Westmoreland, as an extremely powerful Category5 hurricane.[14][109] All public buildings in Seaford Town, the location of a German minority and museum sponsored by the Government of Germany, were destroyed.[110] Several public buildings in Falmouth were destroyed including the courthouse, infirmary, and road and works department.[111] Extensive damage was reported in Saint Elizabeth, with the parish described as being "underwater".[112] Communities in the parish were reportedly obliterated, with entire buildings collapsing.[113] Severe flooding was reported in several locations including Mandeville, where houses were submerged up to their roofs in water.[112] A BBC journalist described the town as being "flattened" by the hurricane.[114] Severe flooding was also reported in Alligator Pond. The principal of St. Elizabeth Technical High School said the school had suffered severe damage including lost roofs.[112]Brown's Town Community College in Saint Ann Parish and Westwood High School also reported damage, with the latter suffering preliminary losses of J$298million (US$1.84million).[115]Black River's hospital suffered significant structural damage, with the roof being blown off.[116] It was estimated that nearly 90% of the town's homes lost their roofs.[117] The town's police station also received significant damage, with several windows and its gate damaged.[118] The fire station was inundated with 16 feet (4.9m) of water.[69] The Waterloo House, a colonial-era house and historic landmark, was destroyed by Melissa.[110] In nearby Cobie Ridge, a sinkhole opened up in the home of an elderly woman.[119] Much of Montego Bay was also flooded,[114] including the city's port, industrial park[120] and Sangster International Airport's terminal, with much of the ceiling having collapsed.[121] Building collapses, roof damage and downed trees were also reported in Falmouth,[120] which was described as "all but destroyed".[108] In Kingston, a billboard frame was partially toppled and a basin was flooded, while a landslide blocked a road in Gordon Town.[105] Around 150,000 structures were damaged by Melissa.[122][123] The storm ripped the roofs off of about 120,000 structures.[124] Around 24,000 buildings were totaled.[123] Around 40–50% of hotels were damaged by Melissa.[125]Sandals would take till December to reopen five of their hotels and May 2026 to reopen the other three.[126]
Melissa damaged at least 102,300 acres (41,390ha) of farmland, affecting more than 70,000 farmers and leading to the loss of over 1.25 million animals. Total losses in agriculture were estimated at J$29.5billion (US$184million).[127] Around 80,000 acres (32,400ha) of vegetable fields were damaged and around 6,100 acres (2,450ha) of plantain and banana farms were damaged.[128] Over one hundred plantain and banana farms applied for disaster funds.[128] Over half of the island's forests suffered damage.[129] Flooding from Melissa persisted following the storm, with waters rising again two weeks later in Manchester Parish,[130] prompting the local health department to issue advisories to avoid direct contact.[131]
At least 45 people were killed, 15 were missing[86] and 96 others were injured across Jamaica.[132] In Saint Elizabeth, at least eight bodies of victims of the hurricane were confirmed. Two deaths were also recorded in Saint James Parish, including an infant killed by a falling tree.[133][134][135] Nine bodies were recovered in Westmoreland Parish.[133] A pregnant woman died in Petersfield when her home collapsed during the hurricane.[136] One unidentified body washed ashore on Black River.[69] Thousands of families were left homeless.[122] The United Nations reported that damage caused by the storm (US$6Billion) is 30% of the country's GDP, an amount expected to rise.[137] The true scale of the damage and fatalities across Jamaica remained unclear into early November, with access to and communications with remote areas hindered by infrastructure damage.[138][139][140] The Minister of Tourism stated that the nation lost US$62million in tourism in the first week after the storm.[125] After the hurricane's passage, a Leptospirosis outbreak occurred as a result of Melissa, with 39 suspected cases recorded and six confirmed deaths resulting from the outbreak so far.[85] Around 40% of the national health system was damaged due to Melissa.[87]
Speaking in mid-November at the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Jamaica's economic growth minister, Matthew Samuda, told delegates, "Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours." He also identified the hurricane as evidence of "the new phase of climate change," and called on the global community to fulfill their commitments to mitigating the worst effects of climate change.[141][142]
Cuba
Earlier in the season, Cuba had experienced flooding, causing immense damage, from Hurricane Imelda.[143] Melissa also impacted the same areas that were still recovering from Hurricane Oscar and its associated damage to power infrastructure.[144] Prior to Melissa's landfall on Cuba, the hurricane caused flooding and landslides in the southeastern province of Santiago de Cuba.[113] Melissa made landfall east of Chivirico in Santiago de Cuba at around 07:10UTC on October29, with sustained winds of 105kn (120mph; 195km/h).[145] First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel reported "considerable damage" from the hurricane in Cuba, with widespread flooding and streets buried in debris across Santiago de Cuba.[114] Around 992,000houses were damaged or destroyed in Guantánamo, Holguín and Santiago de Cuba provinces; the region lost power and cellular service.[146] In the nation, 642medical facilities were damaged.[96] An oil refinery was damaged in Santiago de Cuba.[147] Infrastructure to the plant, which was necessary for repairs, and a refinery tower were the most severely damaged areas of the plant.[148] Crews from Havana and Sancti Spíritus were sent to aid with its reconstruction.[147]Antonio Maceo Airport was damaged by Melissa and would not reopen to domestic flights until November15.[149] In El Cobre, in Santiago de Cuba, one death was reported.[150] Seventeen people were injured and three million others were affected across the country, with 735,000 in shelters.[151][152] The Cauto River overflowed, with some regions receiving around 20 inches (510mm) of rainfall.[153] Multiple dams reported over 20in (500mm) of rain.[154] Flooding was recorded in Veguitas after excess water was removed from a nearby dam.[153]
At the U.S. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, downed trees led to 16homes being considered uninhabitable and the air traffic control tower at the base's air strip was partially flooded.[155]
Two weeks after landfall, 60% of power infastructure in Santiago de Cuba province was without power. About 158,000 hectares of crops were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane.[156] Additionally, 53,000 people remained displaced.[157] Due to standing water, a lack of medicine, and a general decline in Cuban quality of life, outbreaks of diseases, like dengue fever and chikungunya, occurred following Melissa.[158] Additionally, it was reported that as of November 26, almost a month after the storm's passage, thousands remained without water or proper shelter in Cuba, in addition to continued lack of electrical power.[159]
Elsewhere
Melissa caused rough seas along the Colombian coast, with waves of up to 11ft (3.5m).[160]
Flooding caused by Melissa in the Bahamas
While passing through the Bahamas, Melissa produced wind gusts of 85mph (137km/h) on Crooked Island, along with sustained winds of 76mph (122km/h).[161]Cat Island experienced hurricane force winds, knocking out power. Power was restored by October31.[162] Trees were uprooted, utility poles were downed, and roofs were damaged across the archipelago.[162]Deadman's Cay Airport was flooded.[162] Several roads were impassable due to debris on Long Cay.[162]San Salvador Island was without power and had poor cellular service due to downed utility poles. Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) reported 18 downed poles on the island. Five people from BPL were sent to San Salvador.[162]Rum Cay reported flooding and poor cellular service.[162] The eye of Melissa passed over the southern portion of Long Island.[163] The power station on Long Island was severely damaged.[162] Some structural damage to several buildings was also reported on the island.[163] Extreme flooding was reported in several areas in Long Island.[163] The Turks and Caicos Islands were impacted only by rough seas, brisk winds, and thunderstorms.[80]
In Bermuda, L.F. Wade International Airport recorded wind gusts to 61mph (98km/h) during Melissa's passage north-northwest of the island. An elevated anemometer at the National Museum of Bermuda also recorded a peak wind gust of 98mph (158km/h).[29]Bermuda Electric Light Company reported that around 19,000 customers, around half the island, lost power as a result of Melissa, and that five substations were taken offline.[164] Island wide, the hurricane's impact was limited to scattered debris, downed wires, and utility pole fires.[165]
In New York, heavy rainfall occurred as a mid-latitude low over the Eastern United States pulled some of Melissa’s moisture northwestward.[166] In New York City, two persons were reported drowned from basement flooding.[167][168]Central Park recorded 1.83 in (46.48mm) of rain which set a new daily rainfall record.[169][170] Between New York and neighboring New Jersey, over 15,000 customers lost power.[171]
The United States and Jamaican Air Forces worked to deliver supplies to isolated communities in Jamaica.[122] The Jamaican National Housing Trust bought 5,000 container homes to distribute and sell among Jamaicans. The Prime Minister noted that shipping would take an extensive amount of time.[172] A six-month-long moratorium on mortgages was also issued for 20,000 properties.[173] Officials prioritized the restoration of power to the city of Montego Bay to jump start the tourism industry in undamaged hotels.[125]
On November10, a Beechcraft King Air bound for a hurricane relief mission in Jamaica crashed in Coral Springs, Florida, shortly after taking off from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The two occupants of the plane, a Christian missionary and his adult daughter, were killed in the crash.[192][193] Within relief shipments, four firearms were found by the Jamaica Customs Agency, which are under investigation.[194]
Elsewhere
The U.S. State Department would later announce it was sending $24million to help nations affected by Melissa (including Jamaica), with $8.5million to Haiti, $500,000 to the Bahamas, and $3million to Cuba in coordination with the Catholic Church.[188] Additionally, the United Nations appealed for $74million on November5 to help aid those impacted by Melissa in Cuba.[195] Three humanitarian flights with supplies from the World Food Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and Caritas Internationalis were orchestrated to deliver supplies to the eastern provinces of Cuba.[189] The Pan American Health Organization delivered 23,000 pounds (10,000kg) of medical supplies to Cuba.[96] China sent supplies to Cuba along with 5,000 photovoltaic panels.[196] Starlink services were made free for the people of the Bahamas with the goal of helping recovery efforts.[197]
Due to other islands being damaged from Hurricane Melissa, the Dominican Republic saw a burst in tourism later in 2025. The Dominican Republic approved of hundreds of flights to manage the surge.[198]
↑Franklin, James (January 31, 2008). Hurricane Dean(PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
↑Cangialosi, John (October 29, 2025). Hurricane Melissa Discussion Number 31 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
↑Papin, Philippe (October 29, 2025). Hurricane Melissa Discussion Number 33 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
↑Papin, Philippe (October 29, 2025). Hurricane Melissa Discussion Number 34 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
↑"Climate change enhanced intensity of Hurricane Melissa, testing limits of adaptation in Jamaica and eastern Cuba (WWA scientific report No. 76)". World Weather Attribution. November 6, 2025. p.3. doi:10.25560/125306. Archived from the original on November 12, 2025. Our results are consistent with other recently published rapid analyses (Climameter, Climate Damage Tracker, Climate Central). While each of these studies used different methodologies and addressed different research questions, the overarching finding is that climate change is enhancing conditions conducive to the most powerful hurricanes like Melissa, with more intense rainfall and wind speeds, leading to more destructive storms, causing high human and economic impacts.
↑US Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Weather Service. "National Weather Service". forecast.weather.gov. Archived from the original on October 31, 2025. Retrieved October 31, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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