Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Unleashes Catastrophic Damage and Fatalities Across Caribbean
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica with 185 mph winds, causing catastrophic damage, seven deaths across the Caribbean, and then impacted Cuba with 120 mph winds.
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Overview
- Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 with devastating 185 mph sustained winds, ranking among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.
- The powerful storm caused catastrophic damage in western Jamaica, including heavy flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages.
- Hurricane Melissa resulted in seven confirmed deaths across the Caribbean region, with three fatalities specifically reported in Jamaica due to the storm's intensity.
- After devastating Jamaica, Melissa continued its path, striking Cuba with sustained winds of 120 mph, extending its destructive impact across the wider Caribbean.
- Authorities issued "extremely dangerous and life-threatening" warnings, as Melissa is expected to deliver 15 to 30 inches of rain to Jamaica, with some areas potentially receiving up to 40 inches.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources present a neutral, fact-driven account of Hurricane Melissa. They avoid loaded language or biased perspectives, focusing instead on objective reporting of the storm's intensity, path, and impact. The coverage prioritizes official warnings, meteorological data, and reported damage, ensuring readers receive clear, actionable information without editorial spin.
"Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba overnight and was churning over the country on Wednesday as a Category 2 storm as authorities in Jamaica began surveying the extensive damage left in its wake as the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season."
USA TODAY"The continuing intense rain could cause life-threatening flooding with numerous landslides, U.S. forecasters said."
CBS News"Catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surge continued to hit parts of Jamaica, which should be prepared for extensive infrastructure damage and long-lasting power outages."
ABC News"Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin."
ABC News"The destruction could be unlike anything people in Jamaica have seen before."
USA TODAY"Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica with record-tying 185 mph winds Tuesday, was a beast that stood out as extreme even in a record number of monster storms spawned over the last decade in a superheated Atlantic Ocean."
Associated Press"Hurricane Melissa, among the strongest on record, is expected to spawn intense storm surges and mudslides in Jamaica's steep, mountainous terrain."
USA TODAY"The storm has already created a life-threatening situation in Jamaica, triggering floods and storm surge and raising the risk of landslides."
Gizmodo"Hurricane Melissa is now among the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record."
Associated Press"Hurricane Melissa is among the strongest hurricanes to have formed in the Atlantic Ocean since records were kept, ranking as one the most powerful storms in terms of both wind strength and pressure."
CBS News"As the world warms, it says it is "very likely" they will have higher rates of rainfall and reach higher top wind speeds."
BBC NewsArticles (19)
FAQ
Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic damage, including heavy flooding, landslides, fallen trees, and widespread power outages. The storm left half a million people without power and reported three fatalities in Jamaica.
After impacting Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa struck Cuba with sustained winds of 120 mph, extending its destructive impact across the region.
Currently, there is no detailed information on specific ongoing relief efforts in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. However, such efforts are typically coordinated by local authorities and international organizations.
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