Evan Thompson with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica warned that the impending landfall of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa would cause catastrophic and “life-threatening” damage. Thompson advised seeking shelter in buildings with as many walls as possible to separate them from the outside.

Hurricane Melissa roared ashore on Tuesday as one of the most powerful landfalls in Atlantic Basin recorded history.

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as the strongest storm — and only Category 5 hurricane — ever recorded in the nation’s history.

The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain. The arrival of its core has been delayed by stalling.

Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane -- one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin. Melissa is bringing catastrophic winds, rain and storm surge to Jamaica, where residents and tourists are sheltering in place.

Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status near Jamaica but won't impact the Ohio Valley. Get live updates and tracking information.

Article last updated: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, 2 p.m. ET

Hurricane Melissa, a fierce Category 5 storm, is expected to bring "catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surge" to Jamaica Tuesday, forecasters say.

This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.