Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, has made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 system, bringing winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and torrential rain.
The National Hurricane Center confirmed the storm struck near New Hope on Tuesday afternoon with a central pressure of 892 millibars, warning residents that this is “an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”
A third of Jamaica is without power, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said, as emergency teams struggle to assess the scale of the damage. “The winds are so strong you would not be able to stand up,” one local resident told British state media, while another said, “Water is coming through my roof – I am not OK.”
In a national address, Minister Desmond McKenzie urged Jamaicans to stay indoors and not underestimate the storm. “This is not the time to be brave… Don’t bet against Melissa – it is a bet we can’t win,” he warned.
Meteorologists say conditions are expected to worsen as the storm moves north-northeast across the island, while rescue efforts continue to rely on satellite phones as traditional communications fail.
#Melissa is now a Category 5 Major Hurricane with 160 mph winds.
Sobering imagery from satellite this morning. Stay safe, Jamaica 🇯🇲🙏 pic.twitter.com/3zhmMQt3Ow
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) October 27, 2025
Jamaica in Ruins after Hurricane Melissa! 295 km/h Winds Destroy St. Elizabeth and Kingston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13l1Y51dfm8
Good overview of the disaster