Caribbean Nations Devastated by Record-Breaking Hurricane Melissa; Death Toll Rises
October 28, 2025 – Hurricane Melissa, a monstrous Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica today, unleashing catastrophic destruction and marking the strongest hurricane on record for the island nation and one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. The storm has carved a path of unprecedented devastation across the Caribbean, leaving behind a trail of flattened homes, destroyed infrastructure, and a rising death toll in its wake. Haiti and Cuba are among the hardest-hit nations, grappling with severe flooding, landslides, and widespread damage.
The Unprecedented Fury of Melissa
Formed from a tropical wave, Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified over the Caribbean Sea, reaching Category 5 status with sustained winds peaking at an astonishing 185 mph (295 km/h). The storm’s immense power was further underscored by a dropsonde measurement recording a wind gust of 252 mph (406 km/h), setting a new world record for such an instrument and highlighting its extreme intensity. With a central pressure of 892 mbar, it tied for the third-lowest pressure ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, signalling a storm of historic proportions. Meteorologists described Melissa as a “catastrophic” and “life-threatening” system, warning of total structural failure near its core.
Jamaica: A Nation Devastated
Jamaica bore the brunt of Melissa’s initial onslaught, with the hurricane making landfall near New Hope, Westmoreland Parish, as a Category 5 tempest. The storm demolished or severely damaged over 122,000 dwellings, leaving tens of thousands homeless, particularly in the western and southern parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover. Power and communication lines were obliterated, plunging approximately 66% of the island into darkness and cutting off essential services for extended periods. Agricultural sectors, a vital part of Jamaica’s economy, suffered immense losses, with over 41,000 hectares of farmland damaged, impacting more than 70,000 farmers. The economic impact is staggering, with preliminary estimates from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank placing the physical damage at an estimated $8.8 billion USD, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s 2024 GDP. Tragically, at least 45 lives have been lost, with 15 people still missing, as entire communities were cut off by flooding and collapsed roads. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire island a “disaster area,” mobilising national resources for rescue and recovery.
Haiti: Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
In Haiti, Hurricane Melissa unleashed catastrophic flooding and deadly landslides, exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian situation. Officials reported at least 88 fatalities, including 10 children, with the southwestern coastal town of Petit-Goâve being one of the hardest-hit areas, accounting for numerous deaths due to river flooding. Over 16,000 individuals were displaced from their homes in the southern and western regions, and more than 30 communities faced devastation from landslides and floodwaters, leading to warnings of a critical drinking water shortage.
Cuba: Mass Evacuations and Widespread Damage
Cuba’s eastern coast faced the wrath of Hurricane Melissa as a Category 3 storm on October 29, bringing sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and torrential rainfall reaching up to 25 inches in some areas. The intense rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and landslides, leading to severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural assets. In anticipation of the storm, over 735,000 people were evacuated from coastal and low-lying areas, with many remaining in shelters. Preliminary assessments indicate that nearly 150,000 homes were affected, and critical services like electricity, water, and communications were severely disrupted, impacting hundreds of thousands of residents. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in Cuba.
Regional Impact and the Long Road to Recovery
Across the wider Caribbean, Hurricane Melissa caused widespread disruption. Nations including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos experienced localized flooding and power outages. The scale of destruction has necessitated a massive, coordinated international response. Humanitarian agencies, including the UN, are working alongside national governments and NGOs to deliver essential supplies, restore critical services, and provide medical and psychosocial support. The United States has committed nearly $37 million in emergency assistance, while international lending agencies like the World Bank and IDB have pledged significant support for reconstruction efforts in Jamaica. The UK has deployed an emergency medical team to bolster healthcare services in Jamaica.
The cleanup of over 4.8 million tonnes of debris in Jamaica alone presents a monumental challenge, highlighting the long and arduous path ahead for recovery. The devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa underscores the growing vulnerability of Caribbean nations to increasingly severe and less predictable tropical cyclones, fueled by climate change. As the region grapples with the immediate aftermath and begins the monumental task of rebuilding, the news today emphasizes the urgent need for sustained international cooperation, robust disaster preparedness, and greater investment in climate resilience for the entire Caribbean region.
This ongoing news event highlights the critical importance of regional collaboration and preparedness in the face of escalating climate-related disasters.