Kingston, Jamaica — October 28, 2025. Powerful Hurricane Melissa is just hours away from making landfall in Jamaica, bringing sustained winds of up to 180 mph (290 km/h) and gusts exceeding 186 mph (300 km/h), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, now a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is expected to be the strongest storm to strike Jamaica this century.

Authorities have issued mandatory evacuations for coastal and low-lying areas as the island braces for storm surges up to 13 feet (4 meters), torrential rainfall, and dangerous landslides.

“A catastrophic situation is expected in Jamaica,” warned Anne-Claire Fontan, tropical cyclone specialist at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), during a press briefing in Geneva. “For Jamaica, this will undoubtedly be the storm of the century,” she added.

Melissa is expected to make landfall near Kingston and Negril within hours before tracking across eastern Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday, according to the NHC.

A combination of livestreams from across Jamaica has shown the intensity of the storm, with strong winds, heavy rains, and widespread power outages already affecting several communities. Emergency crews have been deployed to secure shelters and respond to potential injuries and damages.

Despite the looming catastrophe, Jamaicans remain resilient, confident in their preparedness and spirit. Locals told reporters that Jamaica’s legacy as the birthplace of tourism resilience continues to inspire hope in the face of adversity.

“Jamaicans are strong and resilient people. We are ready to face this storm and rebuild, just as we always have,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism.

Meteorologists predict rainfall totals could exceed 27 inches (70 centimeters) in some areas, triggering flash floods and major landslides. Although Melissa may weaken slightly after crossing Jamaica, it is expected to remain a powerful and dangerous system as it moves across the western Caribbean.