Hurricane Melissa: 7 dead, 530,000 without power, 25 000 stranded

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, made catastrophic landfall in Jamaica overnight on October 28 as a Category 5 monster with sustained winds peaking at 185 mph (295 kph), the strongest to ever strike the island since records began 174 years ago.

The storm has already claimed at least seven lives across the Caribbean (three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic, with another missing), knocked out power to over 530,000 in Jamaica alone (more than half the population), and stranded around 25,000 tourists amid widespread flooding, landslides, and structural devastation.

As it barrels north-northeast toward Cuba at about 8-13 mph, the hurricane has weakened slightly to a Category 3 with 120-130 mph winds but remains "extremely dangerous," with forecasters warning of life-threatening storm surges up to 4 meters (13 feet), flash floods, and mudslides.

Path and Impacts in Jamaica

Landfall Details: Melissa roared ashore near New Hope, about 39 miles (62 km) south of Montego Bay, around midday Tuesday (local time), tearing through the island with torrential rains (up to 4-8 more inches expected) and catastrophic winds that ripped off roofs, toppled trees, and blocked roads in nearly every parish.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the nation as "ravaged" but vowed to "rebuild even better," with all 881 shelters activated and airports closed until at least Thursday.

Immediate Toll: Internet service has plummeted to 30% of normal levels, complicating rescue efforts, while U.N. agencies and nonprofits preposition food, medicine, and supplies for distribution.

The World Meteorological Organization called it "the storm of the century" for Jamaica, ranking it third most intense in the Caribbean historically.

Tourist Stranding: With flights canceled (including by Haitian airline Sunrise Airways) and ports potentially backlogged, the 25,000 visitors—many in coastal resorts—are hunkered down in hotels or shelters, facing prolonged isolation.

Cuba on High Alert - Evacuations and Landfall:

Over 735,000 people, about 7% of the population, have been evacuated from eastern provinces like Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo, where the storm made landfall early Wednesday as a Category 3 near the southeastern coast.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned of a "very difficult night," with ongoing power outages exacerbating the crisis in a country already grappling with blackouts.

Hurricane-force winds (up to 120 mph) and heavy rains are lashing the region, with gusts reported in Guantanamo and flooding already inundating streets in Santiago.

Forecast: The eye is crossing Cuba's rugged terrain this morning, expected to weaken further to Category 2 or 1 by Thursday but still pose major flood risks (up to 20 inches of rain in spots). It will then track toward the southeastern Bahamas and near Bermuda by late week, with a tropical storm warning now in effect for Jamaica (downgraded from hurricane status).

Before Jamaica, Melissa dumped days of rain on Haiti and the Dominican Republic, contributing to the regional death toll.

The International Federation of Red Cross warns 1.5 million in Jamaica alone face health risks like contaminated water and disease outbreaks.

International Aid: U.S. President Donald Trump, from Air Force One, pledged humanitarian support for Jamaica: "We're prepared to move" on aid.

Canada's Global Affairs set up an emergency center for affected citizens, while Barbados PM Mia Mottley offered regional solidarity.

Climate Context: This marks the third Category 5 in the Atlantic this year (after Erin and Humberto), highlighting an unusually active 2025 season. Experts link the storm's rapid intensification to warmer ocean temperatures.

The situation remains fluid, with full damage assessments pending as Melissa churns onward. Public health crises, including disrupted healthcare and mental health strains, are a top concern for Jamaica and Cuba.

If you're in the affected areas, follow local alerts and evacuation orders. For travelers, check with airlines and embassies, many flights are grounded. Updates are coming fast; this is based on reports up to 5:34 a.m. ET today. Stay safe.