Hurricane Melissa intensifies to Category 5, threatens Jamaica with 'catastrophic' flooding

The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain.

Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa, winds now at 175 mph, nears catastrophic strike on Jamaica

As of 5 p.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center found the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 175 mph. The winds were so strong inside the eyewall of the storm that a NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane made the rare choice to head back early after experiencing severe turbulence.

South Florida groups prepare aid shipments for Caribbean as family members grapple with Hurricane Melissa impacts

"It is more than kind of distressing because you don't know when and you don't know how," said Ewan Simpson, who lives in Jamaica.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean reroute cruises to avoid Hurricane Melissa. See the changes.

Celebrity Beyond’s Oct. 26 itinerary will visit the Western Caribbean rather than the Eastern Caribbean, according to the cruise line’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Group. The ship will visit Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize and Roatan, Honduras.
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Navy evacuates nearly 900 from Cuba as Hurricane Melissa approaches

The U.S. Navy relocated hundreds of nonessential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Florida over the weekend.

Charleston Water Mission teams deploy to Jamaica ahead of Hurricane Melissa’s direct hit

Jamaica and several other Caribbean islands are bracing for what could be a catastrophic impact from Hurricane Melissa a massive Category 5 storm expected to make landfall late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

Monday, Oct. 27 update from the National Hurricane Center: Latest on Category 5 Hurricane Melissa

Article last updated: Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, 5 p.m. ET
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