Latest on Hurricane Melissa: Category 5 Beast Slams Jamaica, Sets Sights on Cuba and the Bahamas

Hurricane Melissa remains an exceptionally dangerous Category 5 storm today (Tuesday, October 28), delivering destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and extreme flooding across Jamaica. The cyclone’s very slow forward motion is prolonging the worst conditions, with the core tracking from the island’s south coast toward central and northern parishes before curving north-northeast. After Jamaica, the path carries Melissa toward southeastern Cuba and then through parts of the Bahamas midweek, with a later turn over the open Atlantic.

Hurricane Melissa path, intensity, and what’s happening now

Melissa’s maximum sustained winds have held in the high-end Category 5 range, with gusts far stronger in and near the eyewall. Forward speed has been walking-pace slow, heightening impacts by keeping hurricane conditions in place for many hours. Multiple parishes have already reported widespread wind damage, downed trees and lines, and rapidly rising floodwaters. Early casualty reports have emerged across the region, and the tally may change as assessments expand.

• Wind: Peak gusts well above 150 mph near the core; widespread damaging winds far from the center due to a large wind field.

• Storm surge: Up to 13 feet above ground level is possible along Jamaica’s vulnerable south-facing coasts, with destructive wave action.

• Rainfall: 15–30 inches common in Jamaica, with localized maxima near 40 inches in mountainous terrain—driving catastrophic flash floods and landslides.

• Seas: Exceptionally dangerous surf and swell expand outward across the western Caribbean and will spread into passages north of Cuba and around the Bahamas.

Recent brief slowdowns and wobbles near the coast have increased “dwell time” for hurricane-force winds and surge. Details may evolve as the inner core interacts with Jamaica’s terrain.

Short-term track: Jamaica today, then Cuba and the Bahamas

Consensus guidance keeps Melissa moving north-northeast after crossing or scraping Jamaica, bringing severe conditions to southeastern Cuba late today into Wednesday. By midweek, the center should pass near portions of the central and northwest Bahamas, still a strong, expansive hurricane despite some potential weakening from land interaction and increasing wind shear. A more decisive northeast turn is likely late week over the open Atlantic. Bermuda should monitor for strong winds, heavy rain, and large seas even if the core tracks to the west or north.

Timing snapshot (subject to change)

Times approximate; ET for U.S./Canada, BST for UK.

• Jamaica: Through Tuesday (ET) for the most severe winds, surge, and flooding.

• Southeastern Cuba: Late Tuesday night–Wednesday (ET) for peak impacts.

• Central/Northwest Bahamas: Wednesday–Thursday (ET) as conditions deteriorate.

• Western Atlantic/Bermuda vicinity: Late Thursday–Friday (ET) for closest approach; exact distance uncertain.

Why this storm is so destructive

Two factors make Melissa uniquely dangerous:

1. Size: The hurricane’s wind field extends destructive gusts far from the eye, so locations well away from the center are still absorbing high-end impacts.

2. Speed: A very slow crawl magnifies surge residence time and rainfall totals, especially where terrain wrings out tropical moisture. That combination raises the risk of long-duration power outages, washed-out roads, and isolated communities.

Preparedness and safety priorities today

• If in surge-prone zones: Move to higher ground before peak water rises. Avoid all coastal roadways and low-lying bridges.

• Shelter during eyewall: Stay in an interior room on the lowest level above flood risk; do not venture outside if a temporary lull occurs with the eye. Violent winds return from the opposite direction.

• Flood vigilance: Never drive across flooded roads. Fast-rising water and landslides are likely near mountains and in normally dry channels.

• Power and communications: Expect prolonged outages. Conserve batteries and keep devices on low-power settings.

• Post-storm: Treat all downed lines as live. Avoid wading through floodwater due to debris and contamination.

What to watch next

• The north-northeast bend: Small changes in angle will determine which parts of southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas take the hardest hit.

• Intensity trend: Some weakening is possible after land interaction, but Melissa’s large structure will maintain broad hazards even as peak winds slowly ease.

• Hydrology impacts: With saturated ground and extreme totals, secondary flooding and landslides will continue after the core passes.

Hurricane Melissa is a high-end, historical event for Jamaica and a serious threat for southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas next. Plan for rapidly changing conditions and heed local emergency instructions as new advisories refine the track and timing over the next 24–72 hours.