Copyright indiatimes
ReutersA car drives along a road, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 28, 2025. REUTERS/Octavio Jones Jamaica is facing one of the most powerful hurricanes in its history as Category 5 Hurricane Melissa barrels toward the island with winds reaching 185 mph. Officials warn residents to stay sheltered as the storm unleashes devastating winds, flooding, and power outages across the nation. What are forecasters saying about hurricane Melissa? Hurricane Melissa is about to make landfall in Jamaica, bringing what experts are calling “catastrophic and life-threatening” winds and flooding. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has urged residents to remain in shelters, warning that “this is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation!”ALSO READ: Hurricane Mellissa update: Planet's strongest storm this year hits Jamaica - here's where it's going to strike next At 12 p.m. ET, the NHC cautioned, “Do not leave your shelter as the eye passes over, as winds will quickly, and rapidly increase on the other side of the eye. Residents should remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.”Live Events How severe are the damages so far? Melissa has already caused devastation across the Caribbean, with at least seven reported deaths. Three people have been confirmed dead in Haiti, one in the Dominican Republic, where another remains missing, and three in Jamaica ahead of the storm’s direct impact. Officials warn that the hurricane’s full force has yet to hit, and damages are expected to worsen as it moves inland.ALSO READ: Is Halloween a federal holiday? What you need to know about celebrating October 31st How is Jamaica coping with power outages? Jamaica’s energy minister, Daryl Vaz, confirmed that large parts of the island have already lost power. “Several generation units, critical high voltage substations, transmission and distribution lines across the island have been forced out of service by hurricane-force winds and lightning,” Vaz said. According to Jamaica Public Service, about 240,000 customers, roughly 35% of the island’s electricity users—were already without power before the storm made landfall. When is landfall expected? As of 11 a.m. ET, Melissa was located about 40 miles southeast of Negril, Jamaica, moving north-northeast at 9 mph. Landfall is expected along the southern coast “in a couple of hours,” the NHC confirmed, adding that “little change in strength is expected before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica.” With its 185 mph winds and destructive storm surge, Hurricane Melissa is poised to be the strongest hurricane ever recorded to hit Jamaica, marking a dark and historic moment for the Caribbean nation, as per a report."Within the next hour or two," National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan stated during a livestreamed briefing, Hurricane Melissa is predicted to reach land along Jamaica's southwest coast. The eye storm is expected to make landfall between the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, according to Brennan. He cautioned that the anticipated rainfall totals of up to 40 inches and a storm surge of up to 13 feet have not changed, and that Melissa's winds, which are currently 185 mph, could reach 200 mph in some mountainous areas of Jamaica. "So, just a catastrophic situation playing out here for Jamaica through the rest of today into tonight," Brennan stated.Hurricane Melissa, which is currently only 30 miles southeast of Negril, Jamaica, is predicted to soon make landfall on the southwestern coast of the island, according to a 12 p.m. ET update from the National Hurricane Center, as per a report.FAQsHow strong is Hurricane Melissa right now?Melissa has maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane.Is the hurricane expected to hit the U.S. mainland?No, forecasters say the storm will not affect the U.S. mainland.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onhurricane melissalive coverage of hurricane melissahas melissa made landfallwhen is hurricane melissa expected to hit jamaicaCategory 5 hurricaneJamaica hurricane newshurricane landfallcatastrophic windsflash floodingNational Hurricane Center (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onhurricane melissalive coverage of hurricane melissahas melissa made landfallwhen is hurricane melissa expected to hit jamaicaCategory 5 hurricaneJamaica hurricane newshurricane landfallcatastrophic windsflash floodingNational Hurricane Center(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless Explore More Stories123
