Jamaica left in utter devastation by Hurricane Melissa 1 year ago
On Oct. 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa ripped through the Caribbean, slamming into Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane and one of the strongest storms to ever form in the Atlantic.
On Oct. 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa ripped through the Caribbean, slamming into Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane and one of the strongest storms to ever form in the Atlantic.
The storm tied the record for the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic, leaving utter devastation and heartbreak in its wake.
At least 93 people died from Melissa's impacts across the Caribbean.
It made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, causing destruction in its wake as it barreled through the island country.
Melissa was the strongest and costliest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, causing an estimated $12.2 billion in damage to the nation.
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Storm surge accompanied 185 mph winds and nearly 3 feet of rain in some places in Jamaica.
FOX Weather Senior Correspondent Robert Ray was in Jamaica for the landfall of the storm, watching the destruction unfold in real time.
Damage extended across the island, with homes flattened and roofs ripped off. Thousands of Jamaicans were displaced, losing their homes and everything they owned to the storm.
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Schools, hospitals, public offices, airports, roads and bridges were all impacted by Melissa.
At least 45 people died as a result of Hurricane Melissa's force on Jamaica.
As it moved through Jamaica, the storm weakened to a Category 3, briefly restrengthening to a Category 4 and weakening once again to a Category 3 as it barreled toward Cuba.
Melissa made landfall near Chivirico, Santiago de Cuba less than a day after devastating Jamaica.
Rain totals near Cuba's landfall ranged from 12 to 19 inches, with the highest reported total over 26 inches at Vega Murcia, Cuba.
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Melissa caused considerable damage, flooding and catastrophic landslides across eastern Cuba.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said streets were covered in debris, with uprooted trees, roofs off houses and flooding of entire towns, with over 900,000 homes damaged or destroyed.
After passing through Cuba, Melissa set sights on the Bahamas.
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Melissa weakened to a Category 2 after its destruction in Cuba, weakening again to a Category 1 as it made two landfalls in the Bahamas.
The first landfall occurred on Long Island in the Bahamas at 6:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 29.
The second landfall happened a few hours later on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, still as a Category 1 hurricane.
Hurricane-force winds, flooding and heavy rain were reported across primarily the southeastern portions of the Bahamas, according to the NHC.
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Though Haiti never saw a landfall from Hurricane Melissa, the country faced the highest rainfall totals from the system.
Rain totals ranged from 8 to 20 inches, with one location reporting more than 36 inches.
Widespread freshwater flooding overtook the island, and tens of thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes, many sheltering in schools and public buildings, the NHC said.
Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, roads and bridges were washed out, isolating several areas and hindering relief operations.
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In Haiti, 43 people died from Melissa's impacts.
Other nations in the Caribbean saw strong winds and flooding from Melissa.
Power outages and flooding were the primary issues in places like the Dominican Republic.
Recovery post-Melissa continued for months in even the least-impacted areas across the Caribbean.
Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba continue to rebuild and recover a year later.
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