Emergency water systems and medical teams deployed to Jamaica following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa with additional Samaritan's Purse relief flights planned.

Hurricane Melissa’s exceptional power, endurance and ability to overcome obstacles stunned meteorologists. Here’s what to know.

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.

Its intensity at landfall appeared to tie an all-time Atlantic Basin record. But the devastation in Jamaica wasn't all Melissa brought to the Caribbean. Here is our recap of this historic hurricane.

Jamaicans braced for impact on Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa neared landfall, threatening catastrophic storm surges, flash floods, and landslides as the worst storm to hit the Caribbean island this century.

Texas newlyweds Kasydee and Hunter Bishop are trapped near Montego Bay, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches as a Category 5 storm with 175 mph winds.

Despite weakening by more than 60 mph after hitting Jamaica, Melissa still had the strength to make landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane.

Jamaica residents were warned Monday to "seek shelter now," as Melissa, a strong Category 5 hurricane, neared landfall on the Caribbean island nation.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened overnight and became a powerful Category 5 hurricane on Monday as it neared Jamaica, which could take a direct hit on Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center said Melissa had 160 mph winds on Monday morning. Category 5 winds begin at 157 mph.

(Photo: A person walks down a street affected by Hurricane Melissa; in Santa Cruz, Jamaica, 30 October 2025. Credit: Orlando Barría/EPA/Shutterstock)