Hurricane Melissa Threatens Catastrophic Landfall in Jamaica, U.S. Embassy Urges Immediate Action

Hurricane Melissa, now a formidable Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph, is rapidly approaching Jamaica and is expected to make landfall as a major hurricane late Monday night or early Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, announced on October 26, 2025. This powerful storm poses an extreme threat to the island nation.

jm.usembassy.gov reported, The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported on Sunday, October 26, that Melissa has intensified explosively and could even strengthen further into a Category 5 storm, making it potentially the most powerful hurricane to hit Jamaica in modern history. Its slow movement amplifies the danger, prolonging exposure to severe conditions.

Forecasters are predicting devastating rainfall totals, with 15 to 30 inches expected across Jamaica, and isolated areas potentially receiving up to 40 inches. This deluge is highly likely to trigger catastrophic flash flooding and widespread landslides, particularly in Jamaica's mountainous terrain, according to CBS News.

jm.usembassy.gov noted, The U.S. Embassy in Kingston has issued an urgent weather alert, advising all U.S. citizens in Jamaica to immediately decide whether to evacuate or shelter in place. The Embassy emphasized that this is not a storm to endure in coastal areas and urged citizens to seek secure, inland shelter.

As a direct consequence of the impending storm, airports across Jamaica are closing, severely impacting travel plans. Both Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay have activated emergency protocols and are shutting down, as reported by CBC News.

jm.usembassy.gov reported, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents to take the threat seriously and implement all necessary measures for protection, according to CTV News. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has activated its National Emergency Operation Centre to a high alert status.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) warned on Sunday of "life-threatening and catastrophic" flash flooding and landslides for parts of Jamaica and Hispaniola, underscoring the extreme danger posed by Melissa. Extensive damage to infrastructure, power outages, and isolated communities are widely anticipated.

• jm.usembassy.gov noted, Historical Context of Hurricanes in Jamaica: Jamaica has a long history of hurricane impacts, with records dating back centuries, as detailed by Wikipedia. However, AccuWeather notes that despite its location, the island has surprisingly never recorded a direct landfall from a Category 4 or 5 hurricane since 1850. Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a high-end Category 3, remains the strongest landfalling storm in Jamaican history, causing significant damage and fatalities.

• Unprecedented Threat and Intensification: Hurricane Melissa's rapid intensification from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane over the weekend is considered extraordinary, according to The Washington Post. Its slow forward movement, at just 5 mph, means that affected areas will endure prolonged periods of torrential rain and destructive winds, exacerbating the potential for disaster.

• jm.usembassy.gov reported, Catastrophic Rainfall and Geological Vulnerability: The projected 15 to 40 inches of rain from Hurricane Melissa is particularly dangerous for Jamaica due to its mountainous terrain. The Yale Climate Connections research group highlighted that while storm surge risk is relatively low, inland flood risk is "very high," making the island highly susceptible to flash floods and mudslides.

• Government and Utility Preparedness: Jamaican authorities have declared a state of emergency in vulnerable parishes and activated over 650 emergency shelters, as reported by SSBCrack News. Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, Daryl Vaz, detailed that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has mobilized overseas line workers and secured critical infrastructure with 48-hour backup power.

• jm.usembassy.gov noted, U.S. Embassy Guidance and Citizen Safety: The U.S. Embassy in Kingston has advised American citizens to monitor local news, stock sufficient food, water, batteries, and medicine, and follow all instructions from local authorities. The Embassy also confirmed the cancellation of all routine services and urged travelers to cancel or rebook flights due to airport closures.

• Economic and Social Implications: The extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and isolation of communities expected from Melissa will have severe economic and social repercussions for Jamaica, according to the NHC. Past hurricanes like Ivan and Sandy caused hundreds of millions in damages and significant loss of life, offering a grim precedent.

• jm.usembassy.gov reported, Regional Impact and Humanitarian Concerns: Beyond Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa is also threatening Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with the NHC warning of "life-threatening and catastrophic" impacts across southern Hispaniola. CBC News reported that the erratic and slow-moving storm has already claimed at least three lives in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, highlighting broader regional humanitarian concerns.