Hurricane Melissa has begun its ominous turn toward Jamaica, placing the island squarely in the path of the powerful Category 5 system.
As of late Monday night, Melissa was located about 140 miles southwest of Kingston and 111 miles south of Negril Point in Westmoreland. The hurricane is expected to make landfall between St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland during the early hours of Tuesday morning, before crossing the island and exiting between Trelawny and St. Ann.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, maximum sustained winds have now intensified to 175 miles per hour, with even stronger gusts recorded near the eye. The system continues to move slowly at 3 miles per hour, increasing the threat of prolonged and devastating impacts.
The NHC has urged Jamaicans to remain indoors and in secure shelter, warning that conditions will rapidly deteriorate overnight. Residents are strongly advised not to venture outside under any circumstances.
Meteorologists say the combination of violent winds, torrential rain, and storm surge will result in catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding, as well as widespread landslides once Melissa’s eye comes ashore.
This makes Hurricane Melissa the deadliest and most dangerous storm of the 2025 Atlantic season so far.
