Strengthened to a category 5 storm it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on the Caribbean island today.
12:56, Mon, Oct 27, 2025 Updated: 12:57, Mon, Oct 27, 2025
Hurricane Melissa southeast of Jamaica at 03:30 UTC (Image: Jamaica )
The Caribbean is bracing for Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful to ever strike the region. Strengthened to a category 5 storm it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on the Caribbean island today, Tuesday October 28.
Winds are expected to peak at 160mph, making it the strongest of only five hurricanes ever recorded to hit Jamaica directly. UK holidaymakers are being warned of “catastrophic flash floods and landslides”. The Foreign Office warns: “It is expected to bring exceptional levels of rainfall to the whole of Jamaica. There are estimates for up to 700mm of rain, storm surges around coastal areas bringing waves of up to 4 metres, and winds of up to 135mph. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely."
Late last night Jamaica’s government ordered mandatory evacuations for Port Royal in Kingston, Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon, Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine and Taylor Land, Bull Bay, New Haven and Riverton City in St Andrew.
Jamaica’s government has ordered mandatory evacuations (Image: Getty)
Storm going to cause a 'catastrophic event' in Jamaica
“This extreme rainfall potential, owing to the slow motion, is going to create a catastrophic event here for Jamaica,” US National Hurricane Center (NHC) Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said in a webcast briefing.
“You need to just be wherever you’re going to be and be ready to ride this out for several days,” Rhome said.
Fluctuations in intensity likely, warns public advisory
In a public advisory, the Miami-based forecasting authority states: "Melissa is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast today, with fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday."
A satellite has captured the storm edging ever close to Jamaica.
Melissa was centred about 205km (130 miles) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 495km (310 miles) south-southwest of Guantanamo, Cuba, on Sunday night.
Landfall in Jamaica is not expected until late Monday or early Tuesday.
Storm captured by satellite nearing Jamaica (Image: Getty)
UK holidaymakers warned of 'catastrophic flash floods and landslides'
UK holidaymakers are being warned of "catastrophic flash floods and landslides".
The Foreign Office warns: “It is expected to bring exceptional levels of rainfall to the whole of Jamaica. There are estimates for up to 700mm of rain, storm surges around coastal areas bringing waves of up to 4 metres, and winds of up to 135mph. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.”
Jamaica is bracing for hurricane Melissa (Image: Getty)
Good morning. My name is Lauran O'Toole and welcome to our live blog.
The Caribbean is bracing for Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful to ever strike the region.
Strengthened to a category 5 storm it is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane on the Caribbean island today, Tuesday October 28.
We will provide you with live updates as and when we receive them.
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