BREAKING NEWS Large Hurricane MELISSA CATEGORY 5 forming… See more

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, making landfall near New Hope on the island’s southwest coast as a Category 5 hurricane. The storm brought unprecedented intensity, marking one of the most powerful Atlantic landfalls in recorded history.

Melissa’s sustained winds were estimated at 185 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 892 mb. These figures tie the hurricane with the strongest Atlantic landfalls on record, both in terms of wind speed and central pressure. With winds matching those of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the legendary 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, Melissa now stands among the most intense storms ever to hit the Atlantic basin. Its central pressure of 892 mb also ties the 1935 hurricane, highlighting just how extreme the storm’s power was at the moment it struck land.

The record‑tying intensity of Hurricane Melissa underscores the dangers of rapid hurricane intensification. Such storms can escalate quickly, leaving communities with limited time to prepare for catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall, and life-threatening storm surges. For Jamaica, Melissa’s landfall meant facing severe destruction across infrastructure, homes, and coastal areas, emphasizing the urgent need for preparedness in hurricane-prone regions.

Melissa’s historic impact serves as a stark reminder of the increasing potential for extreme weather events in the Atlantic and the importance of timely warnings and resilient planning. Its intensity cements its place in meteorological history while highlighting the destructive force that Category 5 hurricanes can unleash when they reach land.