A devastating landfall in Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, as a powerful Category 5 storm, becoming the strongest hurricane ever to directly hit the island. The island endured sustained winds of up to approximately 185 mph and storm surges, which left vast swaths of southern Jamaica under water and cut off communities for days.
Death toll climbs as rescue efforts intensify
The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Melissa has reached at least 49 people, with many more missing and expected to be found in the coming days.
- In Haiti, authorities reported at least 30 fatalities, with many occurring when rivers flooded and burst their banks.
- Jamaica confirmed 19 deaths, as search and rescue teams continue to reach isolated areas still cut-off by debris.
- The storm also impacted other nations — including Cuba (with large evacuations) and the Bahamas — though fatalities there are either unconfirmed or still under assessment.
Widespread destruction and cascading impacts
- Infrastructure in Jamaica is severely damaged: the power grid is largely down in affected areas, hundreds of thousands remain without electricity, roofs ripped off and roads washed away.
- In Haiti, which was not directly hit by the eye but battered by flooding rains, the town of Petit-Goâve reported at least 10 children among the dead after a river overflowed. People.com
- The economic damages are estimated in the tens of billions of dollars across the region, raising concerns about long-term recovery and resilience.
Climate change and hurricane intensity
Climate scientists warn that Melissa’s rapid intensification and sustained strength reflect a pattern of more extreme storms in the Atlantic, driven by rising sea-surface temperatures. The regions hit hardest are among the most vulnerable in the world, with limited resources to absorb repeated shocks.
Relief efforts ramping up
Humanitarian aid is arriving from international partners, but access remains a major challenge in Jamaica’s cut-off rural areas and in flood-ridden parts of Haiti. Authorities are prioritising evacuation, shelter provision, food, clean water and medical supplies, while assessing how to rebuild in a way that mitigates future disaster risk.
What to watch next
- Whether the missing are identified and whether the death toll rises further as inaccessible regions are reached.
- The timeline for restoring power and infrastructure in the hardest-hit zones.
- How the recovery funds will be mobilised — and whether international “loss & damage” funds will play a role.
- The preparedness and policy responses for future storms, especially in the Caribbean’s most vulnerable nations.
The takeaway
Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of heartbreak and resilience across the Caribbean. With nearly 50 confirmed dead and many more still missing, the storm is a stark reminder of the destructive potential of extreme weather in a changing climate. The recovery will be long and arduous — but the resilience of the affected communities will be key in turning devastation into renewal.
