Hurricane Melissa intensified into a rare Category 5 storm, making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, with devastating consequences that rippled across the Caribbean. The hurricane, packing sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a central pressure of 892 millibars, is now recognized as the most intense storm to make landfall in Jamaica’s history and one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) had issued dire warnings of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides throughout the region as the storm rapidly strengthened.
The Unrelenting Fury of a Monster Storm
Forming on October 21, 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa underwent explosive intensification over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, escalating to a Category 5 hurricane in approximately 39 hours. Its eyewall, containing the storm’s most ferocious winds, began to batter Jamaica on October 28, unleashing widespread destruction. The storm’s intensity was tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and the 1988 Hurricane Gilbert in terms of pressure, making it one of the most powerful tropical cyclones recorded in the Atlantic basin. Forecasters warned of life-threatening conditions, including “total structural failure” in areas near the storm’s center of landfall in Jamaica.
Widespread Devastation Across Island Nations
Jamaica bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s fury. The storm caused catastrophic damage, with sustained winds of 185 mph leading to widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, particularly in western parishes like Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth. At one point, approximately 75 percent of the island lost electricity, and heavy rains led to significant flooding and landslides that displaced an estimated 125,000 residents. The island’s main airports were closed, and the tourism sector, a cornerstone of Jamaica’s economy, came to a standstill.
Following its impact on Jamaica, Melissa struck Cuba’s eastern coast on October 29 as a Category 3 hurricane with winds reaching 120 mph, causing further damage and prompting the evacuation of over 700,000 people. Haiti and the Dominican Republic also experienced severe effects, with overflowing rivers triggering landslides and heavy flooding that forced thousands to flee their homes. The storm’s destructive path continued north, bringing localized flooding and power outages to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands before passing Bermuda. Tragically, officials reported at least 96 fatalities across the affected regions, with thousands injured.
Economic Fallout and Regional Resilience Efforts
Preliminary estimates place the total economic losses from Hurricane Melissa between $48 billion and $52 billion, making it the costliest storm in the Atlantic basin for the year. Jamaica alone faces potential economic losses of up to $20 billion, a figure that surpasses its entire 2024 economic output. The damage to crucial industries like tourism and agriculture is projected to have long-lasting repercussions. The protection gap, with a low percentage of insured homes and underinsured properties in Jamaica, means tens of thousands of families are facing immense hardship.
In a significant display of regional solidarity, Barbados has been a leading provider of aid to Jamaica, dispatching a field hospital and essential equipment like garbage compactor trucks. Guyana has also deployed engineers and provided critical supplies to assist with rebuilding efforts. The Caribbean Development Bank has highlighted the region’s vulnerability to climate shocks and urged governments to address low growth and high debt, focusing on investing in climate resilience and economic diversification.
Broader Caribbean News Landscape
In parallel to the hurricane’s devastation, other significant news emerged from the Caribbean. The U.S. military continued its campaign against alleged drug-running boats in the region, conducting multiple strikes in October 2025, which resulted in fatalities. In business news, the Dominican Republic reported robust foreign direct investment (FDI) figures, with projections reaching approximately $4.5 billion for 2024 and a notable 15.3% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2025, positioning itself as a hub for sustainable trade. Royal Caribbean Group announced strong third-quarter earnings for 2025, with Adjusted EPS of $5.75, and raised its full-year guidance, demonstrating resilience in the travel sector despite broader regional challenges. The Caribbean Development Bank also forecast moderate economic growth for the region in 2025, though it cautioned about persistent global and domestic risks.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Preparedness
Hurricane Melissa’s passage has underscored the immense vulnerability of Caribbean nations to extreme weather events, compounded by existing economic challenges. The scale of destruction demands a concerted and sustained recovery effort, highlighting the critical need for enhanced disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, and stronger regional cooperation to mitigate future risks and build a more sustainable future for the Caribbean.