A catastrophic and record-breaking hurricane is threatening the Caribbean. Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 mph.
The slow-moving storm is on a direct course to hit Jamaica. It could be the largest and most powerful hurricane ever to strike the island.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has classified Melissa as “catastrophic.” This is the strongest possible rating on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm is expected to reach Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday. It threatens the island with days of destructive winds and torrential rain.
Forecasters predict as much as three feet of rain could fall. The storm’s wind field is larger than the island of Jamaica itself.
This footage from inside the eye of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa might be the most jaw-dropping video ever captured of a hurricane’s eye, showcasing the infamous “stadium effect." pic.twitter.com/AEhj2g2Ban
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) October 27, 2025Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered mandatory evacuations. He has called for foreign support and warned of severe damage to infrastructure and farms. Authorities are working to transport thousands of people from vulnerable areas. However, some residents are reluctant to leave their homes due to fears of looting.
The Prime Minister stated plainly, “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5.” The danger extends beyond Jamaica. The storm is forecast to cross eastern Cuba and move over the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.
Cuban authorities have already evacuated over 500,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas. Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already experienced deadly flooding from the storm’s outer bands.
Experts warn that slow-moving major hurricanes are often the most destructive. Some communities could be cut off from aid for weeks.
