Hurricane Melissa has carved a path of devastation through the Caribbean, leaving destruction in Jamaica and Haiti as it barrels toward Cuba. The National Hurricane Center has classified the storm as an “extremely dangerous” Category 3 system with sustained winds of 125 mph, warning that it could bring catastrophic flooding, destructive winds, and life-threatening storm surges to eastern Cuba by early Wednesday morning.
Melissa first made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, becoming one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the island. Within hours, the storm unleashed torrential rain, widespread blackouts, and hurricane-force winds that ripped roofs from homes and toppled trees. Officials have already confirmed at least seven fatalities — three in Jamaica during preparations, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.
A Storm That Defied Expectations
Initially forming as a tropical depression east of the Lesser Antilles, Melissa strengthened rapidly over the warm waters of the Caribbean, gaining energy and intensity far faster than models predicted. The system briefly peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds before weakening slightly on approach to Cuba. Meteorologists describe Melissa’s behavior as a textbook example of rapid intensification — a process in which a hurricane’s wind speed increases dramatically in a short time, often making forecasts and emergency response more difficult.
As of 2 a.m. ET, the storm’s eye was located just off Cuba’s southeastern coast, moving northwest at 12 mph. Its central pressure had dropped to 945 millibars, a sign of its continued strength. The National Hurricane Center warned residents of “catastrophic flooding potential” across mountainous regions and coastal zones.
Jamaica Declared a Disaster Zone
Jamaica bore the brunt of Melissa’s first landfall. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire island a disaster area after reports of collapsed homes, flooded hospitals, and damaged schools surfaced from the southwestern parishes. “This storm will test our strength as a nation,” Holness said in a televised address. “Our immediate priority is to save lives, restore essential services, and prevent exploitation through price gouging.”
Emergency shelters across the country filled quickly as wind gusts exceeding 100 mph battered coastal towns. Nearly 15,000 people took refuge in temporary shelters, including community centers and police stations. In St. Elizabeth parish, floodwaters reached chest height in some neighborhoods.
More than half a million residents were left without electricity by Tuesday evening. Jamaica Public Service reported that roughly 77 percent of its customers — mostly in western regions — had lost power. Telecommunications were also severely affected. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said national connectivity dropped to 30 percent of normal levels as fiber lines and cell towers went offline.
Despite the damage, officials expressed cautious optimism. By Wednesday morning, crews were expected to begin restoring electricity and clearing major roads in the eastern half of the island. Full restoration in the south and west could take several more days.
Jamaica’s tourism sector, a cornerstone of its economy, also took a hit. An estimated 25,000 foreign tourists remained stranded as airports closed and coastal resorts sustained minor to moderate damage. “The priority right now is safety,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. “We’re working closely with hotels to ensure all visitors are accounted for and secure.”
Cuba Braces for the Worst
In Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that more than 735,000 people had been evacuated ahead of the storm’s arrival. Coastal towns were emptied, schools converted into emergency shelters, and the military placed on high alert. “It will be a very difficult night for all of Cuba,” the president warned. “But we will recover as we always do.”
Forecasts predict rainfall totals of up to 25 inches in the mountainous eastern provinces, raising fears of landslides and flash flooding. Wind speeds near the center of the storm could exceed 120 mph, with storm surges of up to 12 feet along low-lying coastal areas. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and avoid rivers and hillsides, emphasizing that rescue operations may be delayed once conditions deteriorate.
The Broader Caribbean Impact
Beyond Cuba and Jamaica, the wider Caribbean has also felt Melissa’s fury. In Haiti, heavy rain triggered flash floods in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, where three deaths were confirmed. In the Dominican Republic, one person died in a traffic accident linked to the storm’s outer bands. Power outages and communication breakdowns have been reported throughout the region.
Regional disaster agencies are coordinating with the United Nations and international NGOs to deliver aid once conditions allow. Relief supplies — including food, water, and medical kits — are already being pre-positioned in neighboring islands to support recovery efforts.
A U.S. Offer of Assistance
From Air Force One, where he was concluding an Asian tour, President Donald Trump expressed readiness to support Jamaica’s recovery. “We’re watching it closely and we’re prepared to move,” Trump said. “It’s doing tremendous damage, and the United States stands ready to assist.”
Officials from USAID and FEMA confirmed that preliminary disaster-response teams are on standby in Florida and Puerto Rico, awaiting clearance to deploy once airports reopen and conditions stabilize.
Human Toll and Recovery Challenges
For many Caribbean residents, Melissa is a harsh reminder of the vulnerability of island nations to increasingly intense storms. While Category 3 hurricanes are not uncommon, the speed of Melissa’s formation and the scale of destruction in Jamaica have reignited debates about climate resilience and infrastructure investment.
Local leaders warn that the recovery process could take months. In Jamaica, preliminary estimates suggest that hundreds of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, and several hospitals remain without power. Rural communities are struggling to access clean water, and damaged roads have cut off key supply routes.
Prime Minister Holness emphasized that rebuilding must prioritize long-term resilience. “We cannot simply patch up and wait for the next storm,” he said. “We must invest in stronger infrastructure, better housing, and early-warning systems.”
Meteorologists Warn of Ongoing Danger
Despite minor weakening, meteorologists caution that Melissa remains extremely dangerous. Its path across the Caribbean exposes multiple island chains to risk of flash flooding, tornadoes, and destructive winds. The National Hurricane Center predicts that after crossing Cuba, Melissa will move into the Bahamas, where it could regain strength before turning northeast into the Atlantic.
“People shouldn’t be fooled by momentary dips in intensity,” said senior forecaster Eric Blake. “This is a very powerful hurricane, and conditions can change quickly.”
Experts note that warm Caribbean waters — already above seasonal averages — may fuel further intensification before the storm exits the region. The combination of sea-surface temperatures and favorable upper-atmosphere conditions has made 2025 one of the most active Atlantic hurricane seasons in decades.
A Long Night Ahead
For residents across eastern Cuba, Tuesday night marked hours of anxiety as the outer rainbands began to lash coastal towns. Power lines swayed in the wind, waves pounded seawalls, and emergency sirens echoed through Santiago de Cuba. “We’ve been through hurricanes before,” said resident Yanelis Gomez, “but this one feels different — faster, stronger, louder.”
Cuban officials expect the storm’s eye to move inland by early Wednesday, bringing the worst conditions overnight. Rescue teams, already deployed in key provinces, are expected to move out at first light to assess damage and assist with evacuations.
Conclusion
Hurricane Melissa’s rampage through the Caribbean has already left a trail of destruction, testing the preparedness and resilience of multiple nations. With at least seven lives lost and hundreds of thousands displaced, the full scope of the disaster is still unfolding.
As the storm bears down on Cuba and heads toward the Bahamas, forecasters warn that Melissa will remain a dangerous system for days to come. Governments across the region are mobilizing for relief operations, while scientists once again point to the growing intensity of tropical cyclones in a warming world.
For now, the Caribbean holds its breath — waiting for the winds to calm, the waters to recede, and the long process of rebuilding to begin.
