Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica near New Hope on October 28, 2025, as a powerful Category 5 storm. With sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 mb, it tied the strongest Atlantic hurricane landfalls ever recorded.
The storm brought catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous storm surge, highlighting the growing threat of rapidly intensifying hurricanes. Melissa’s record-tying strength serves as a reminder of the devastating impact extreme storms can have on coastal communities.
