Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a rare Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph, among the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfalls on record.
The hurricane made landfall near New Hope on Jamaica’s southwest coast, bringing extreme conditions to the region with minimal warning time. Melissa’s central pressure measured 892 millibars, matching the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane for the lowest recorded landfall pressure in the Atlantic basin.
Historic Intensity
By wind speed, Melissa tied with Hurricane Dorian from 2019 and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, placing it among the strongest storms ever to strike the Atlantic basin. The storm’s rapid intensification before landfall demonstrated how quickly Atlantic hurricanes can reach catastrophic strength.
Jamaica faced immediate threats from destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and dangerous storm surge across the island. The limited preparation time heightened risks for residents in the storm’s path.
What’s Next
Emergency officials assessed damage and continued monitoring Melissa’s projected track toward additional territories in the Caribbean and potentially the southeastern United States.
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