Hurricane

What’s the track of Hurricane Melissa? See storm path and forecast

By Miami Herald
Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) RICARDO MAKYN AFP via Getty Images

Hurricane Melissa is heading to Jamaica. The monster storm also is forecast to affect Cuba and the Bahamas.

Here’s what to know right now:

HURRICANE MELISSA UPDATES: Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa hits 180 mph winds hours before Jamaica landfall

Impacts on Jamaica

A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island.
A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. RICARDO MAKYN AFP via Getty Images

Landfall: Melissa’s eye will likely cross Jamaica’s western side. If that happens, it could spare the capital the worst of the wind.

How strong is Hurricane Melissa?

Wind: Melissa was a Category 5 storm with 180 mph winds as of Tuesday morning. It ranks as the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record.

What about the storm surge and flooding?

Rain: The forecast calls for up to 30 inches of rain and between 9 and 13 feet of storm surge on Tuesday. Flash floods, mud slides and power outages are likely.

Will Hurricane Melissa affect Florida?

Forecaster say the storm will head northeast and bypass Florida.

Looking ahead

Cuba: The eastern end of Jamaica will start to feel tropical storm effects Tuesday afternoon and hurricane conditions starting Tuesday evening. Melissa is expected to hit Cuba as a Category 4, making landfall early Wednesday morning and bringing up to 25 inches of rain, as well as 7 to 11 feet of storm surge.

Bahamas: A third landfall will be in the Bahamas on Wednesday afternoon, and the islands could see flash flooding from up to 10 inches of rain and four to six feet of storm surge.

MORE: Hurricane Melissa threatens several Caribbean islands, challenging disaster responders

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This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM.

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