Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Hits Cuba

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Latest News from NourishThe Nourish Mission (formerly OneSub)Get answers to today's big questionsHurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Hits CubaEnvironment > WeatherAs of late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds up to 185 mph, struck Jamaica causing catastrophic damage, widespread power outages, and flooding. The Jamaican government declared a disaster area, evacuating thousands. The hurricane then moved to Cuba, prompting mass evacuations and warnings of extensive damage. The storm also affected Haiti and the Bahamas, with climate change cited as a factor in its rapid intensification.

What's happened

As of late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds up to 185 mph, struck Jamaica causing catastrophic damage, widespread power outages, and flooding. The Jamaican government declared a disaster area, evacuating thousands. The hurricane then moved to Cuba, prompting mass evacuations and warnings of extensive damage. The storm also affected Haiti and the Bahamas, with climate change cited as a factor in its rapid intensification.

What's behind the headline?

Hurricane Melissa's Impact and Climate Context

Unprecedented Intensity and Slow Movement: Melissa's Category 5 status with sustained winds of 185 mph and its slow pace (3-4 mph) prolonged destructive conditions, exacerbating flooding and infrastructure damage.
Severe Human and Infrastructure Toll: Over 530,000 Jamaicans lost power, with 15,000 in shelters. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, suffered extensive damage, especially in western Jamaica and coastal areas.
Regional Ripple Effects: Beyond Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic experienced deadly floods, while Cuba evacuated over 600,000 people anticipating catastrophic damage.
Climate Change as a Catalyst: Scientists link Melissa's rapid intensification and severity to human-driven ocean warming, highlighting the increasing frequency and strength of such storms.
Challenges Ahead: Recovery will be slow due to widespread destruction and compromised infrastructure. The storm underscores the urgent need for climate adaptation and international support for vulnerable Caribbean nations.
International Response and Aid: UN and Red Cross agencies are mobilizing relief efforts, but logistical challenges remain due to damaged transport and communication networks.
Forecast and Preparedness: Melissa is expected to continue weakening but remains dangerous as it moves toward the Bahamas, emphasizing ongoing regional vulnerability to extreme weather events.

This event illustrates the growing threat of climate-driven hurricanes to island nations, demanding enhanced disaster preparedness and global climate action.

What the papers say

The Guardian highlights the unprecedented nature of Melissa, calling it "one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes observed since record-keeping began," with Prime Minister Andrew Holness declaring Jamaica a disaster area and emphasizing the severe infrastructure damage. The Guardian also notes the storm's impact on neighboring countries and the call for reparations from wealthy nations due to climate change. SBS focuses on the human toll and ongoing risks, reporting "several hospitals had been damaged" and quoting officials describing the storm as "catastrophic." It also highlights the slow-moving nature of Melissa, which "exacerbated the anxiety" and flooding. Al Jazeera provides detailed meteorological context, quoting the US National Hurricane Center's warnings of a "life-threatening situation" and the slow speed of the storm, which "is particularly dangerous." It also reports on evacuation efforts in Cuba and the broader Caribbean, emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian response. The South China Morning Post and The Times of Israel offer detailed accounts of preparations and the storm's path, with officials warning of "total building failures" and the challenge of recovery. They also report on the displacement of crocodiles due to flooding, illustrating the storm's ecological impact. Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of Hurricane Melissa's devastating impact, the human and infrastructural costs, and the broader climate change context driving such extreme weather events.

How we got here

Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified due to warming ocean temperatures linked to human-driven climate change. It became one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, making landfall in Jamaica—the worst in nearly two centuries—before moving toward Cuba and the Bahamas. Regional governments prepared with evacuations and emergency measures amid warnings of severe flooding and infrastructure damage.

Go deeper

How did Hurricane Melissa compare to previous hurricanes in the Caribbean?
What role did climate change play in the intensity of Hurricane Melissa?
What relief efforts are underway for affected communities?

Common question

What Makes Hurricane Melissa a Category 5 Storm?
Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a powerful Category 5 storm, threatening the Caribbean with catastrophic winds and flooding. Many wonder what sets a storm apart at this level and how authorities are responding. Below, we answer key questions about Hurricane Melissa, its severity, and what residents need to know to stay safe.
What’s the Latest on Hurricane Melissa and Climate Change?
Hurricane Melissa has caused unprecedented destruction in Jamaica and Cuba, raising questions about the link between climate change and the increasing severity of storms. Many are wondering what this means for the future and how to stay safe. Below, we answer the most common questions about this devastating hurricane, recent earthquakes, and what you can do to prepare for natural disasters.