URGENT: Category 4 Hurricane Melissa Threatens Caribbean with Catastrophic Impacts
October 26, 2025 — Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a dangerous Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140–145 mph, placing Jamaica and Haiti in the direct path of what meteorologists are calling a potentially catastrophic weather event.
Immediate Threat Timeline
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirms that Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, bringing with it a deadly combination of extreme weather conditions that pose severe threats to life and property across the Caribbean region.
Expected Impacts
- Extreme Rainfall: 400–600+ millimeters expected, with the heaviest concentrations over Jamaica
- Destructive Storm Surge: Life-threatening coastal flooding anticipated
- Catastrophic Flooding: Flash floods and mudslides expected in mountainous terrain
- Damaging Winds: Prolonged exposure to hurricane-force winds across affected areas
Areas Under Threat
While Jamaica faces the most severe direct impacts, outer rainbands from Melissa are already affecting Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba. These peripheral effects are expected to continue into midweek, bringing dangerous conditions to a broad swath of the Caribbean.
Emergency Response Underway
Local authorities are mobilizing urgent response efforts:
- Jamaica: The Jamaica Meteorological Service and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) have issued official warnings and evacuation orders
- Haiti: Civil protection agencies are coordinating evacuations and emergency preparations
- Regional: Widespread travel disruptions are already in effect across the Caribbean
Humanitarian Concerns
Aid organizations are issuing urgent calls for humanitarian assistance and animal rescue operations as the storm approaches. The combination of Melissa’s intensity and slow movement raises particular concerns about prolonged exposure to dangerous conditions.
Critical Advisory
The National Hurricane Center and local Caribbean emergency management agencies are urging residents in affected areas to:
- Complete all emergency preparations immediately
- Follow evacuation orders without delay
- Monitor official sources continuously for updated information
- Prepare for extended power outages and communication disruptions
Official Information Sources:
- National Hurricane Center (NHC)
- Jamaica Meteorological Service
- Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
- Local civil protection agencies
This is a developing situation. Residents in affected areas should monitor official channels for the latest updates and follow all guidance from local emergency management authorities.