emerged in October 2025 as one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. AP News+1 It made its major landfall in Jamaica, subsequently tracking toward Cuba and the Bahamas. The Guardian+2Reuters+2 Melissa is notable not only for its ferocious strength but also for how quickly it intensified, underlining both meteorological risk and broader climate implications.

Meteorological History & Records

• Melissa formed from a westward-moving tropical wave in mid-October, reaching tropical storm status on October 21. Wikipedia+1

• With very warm Caribbean waters and weakening winds aloft, the storm underwent rapid intensification October 25-27, reaching Category 5 strength by landfall at approximately 185 mph (295 km/h) sustained winds. AP News+1

• It tied or surpassed several historic records: For example, making landfall in Jamaica with winds of ~185 mph, making it among the strongest Atlantic-landfalling hurricanes ever. AP News+1

• The lowest central pressure recorded was around 892 mb, tying for third-lowest in the Atlantic basin. People.com+1

These records highlight Melissa as not just another hurricane, but one of the extreme “outlier” storms that challenge previous benchmarks.

Impacts & Geography of Destruction

Jamaica

• Melissa made landfall near the town of New Hope in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, on October 28. Reuters+1

• The southwestern parishes, particularly St. Elizabeth, were heavily flooded—described by officials as “underwater.” Reuters+1

• Over half a million people (estimates vary) lost power. Infrastructure such as hospitals, homes, roads were significantly damaged. The Guardian+1

• The situation is being described as a national disaster; the prime minister warned that no infrastructure is built to withstand a full Category 5 hit. The Washington Post

Haiti, Dominican Republic & Cuba

• Prior to its Jamaican landfall, Melissa’s outer bands impacted Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with flooding and landslides reported. AP News+1

• After Jamaica, the storm moved toward eastern Cuba (Santiago de Cuba region), causing evacuations and structural damage there as well. The Guardian

• The Bahamas and other islands remain threatened as Melissa continues its path. AP News

Broader Consequences

• Beyond immediate destruction, the storm threatens Jamaica’s key tourism and agricultural sectors (a large portion of GDP). Flooding, infrastructure damage, displacement, all pose cascading economic and social costs. The Washington Post+1

• Given the timing (late October), the storm adds to concerns about the lengthening and intensifying nature of Atlantic tropical cyclone seasons.

Preparedness, Response & Challenges

• Officials in Jamaica issued evacuation orders and opened hundreds of shelters; still, uptake was relatively low compared to what was needed. Time

• Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing, but access and logistics are challenging, especially in remote or island communities. The Washington Post+1

• Recovery will require not just rebuilding but resilience: stronger building codes, infrastructure suited for Category 5 events, robust power/water systems, and flood-resilient design—especially given the increasing frequency of such extreme events.

Climate Factor

Meteorologists and climate scientists are flagging Melissa as part of a broader trend: warmer ocean waters, slower storm motions, more rapid intensification episodes—factors that increase the risk of storms of this magnitude. The Guardian+1 The Caribbean region, in particular low-lying and with many vulnerable communities, is under heightened threat.

What Happens Next

• The full damage assessment is ongoing; many areas remain inaccessible, and final death and damage tolls will take time to compile. AP News

• Recovery will take years, and for many communities the hardest hit will linger with loss of homes, livelihoods (especially in agriculture and tourism), and infrastructure.

• Policy implications: Governments and aid agencies are expected to push for greater investment in resilience, early-warning systems, and climate adaptation financing.

• For the broader region: The storm’s path toward the Bahamas and potentially Bermuda means further risk, and the need for readiness remains urgent.

Key Takeaways

• Hurricane Melissa is historic: one of the strongest Atlantic storms on landfall, especially for Jamaica.

• The impacts are multifaceted: wind, rain, storm surge, flooding, landslides—all combining to exacerbate damage.

• The economic and human costs will likely be large, especially for vulnerable island communities.

• This event underscores the growing risk profile for the Caribbean under climate change, making preparedness and resilience more crucial than ever.