Hurricane Melissa Turns Category 5, Caribbean on High Alert as Storm Nears Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 storm, becoming the strongest hurricane of 2025 as it barrels toward Jamaica and the Caribbean region. Authorities across multiple island nations have issued emergency warnings, urging residents to prepare for extreme winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening floods. The storm’s rapid escalation has raised concerns about severe damage to infrastructure and coastal communities.

Meteorological experts confirmed that Melissa gained strength faster than expected due to unusually warm ocean temperatures, which provided the perfect conditions for its rapid intensification. With wind speeds now crossing 250 km/h, the hurricane is expected to make landfall near Jamaica late Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Several Caribbean nations, including the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, are also bracing for its impact.

Local governments have started large-scale evacuations from low-lying areas, while emergency shelters are being set up to accommodate thousands of residents. Flights and sea transport have been suspended in several regions as precautionary measures. The storm has already caused heavy rains and flash flooding in parts of the Lesser Antilles, damaging roads and cutting power in multiple towns.

International aid agencies are monitoring the situation closely, with relief teams on standby to provide assistance once the storm passes. Climate specialists have again highlighted how global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, especially in tropical regions.

For now, the Caribbean stands united in its preparation, with communities reinforcing homes and stocking up on essentials. As Hurricane Melissa approaches with full force, all eyes are on the region’s resilience and its ability to withstand one of the fiercest storms in recent memory.