30-10-2025

Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean Islands, Dozens Dead

Date: 30-10-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 3 | edition.cnn.com: 2 | news.sky.com: 3 | straitstimes.com: 1 | theguardian.com: 2 | washingtonpost.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: cbsnews.com

Image content: The image presents a list of the strongest landfalling hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin, ranked according to their wind speed. The top three strongest hurricanes, Melissa, Dorian, and "Labor Day," are tied for first place with a wind speed of 185 MPH, while Irma ranks second with a wind speed of 180 MPH. The list is displayed on a dark blue background with a subtle image of a hurricane.

Summary

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, caused widespread destruction and flooding in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, resulting in at least 30 deaths. The storm made landfall in Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, causing catastrophic damage and power outages. The international community is responding to the disaster with aid and relief efforts.

Key Points

  • Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm
  • At least 30 deaths reported across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba
  • Widespread destruction, flooding, and power outages in affected areas

Articles in this Cluster

First deaths from Hurricane Melissa confirmed in Jamaica and Haiti

Hurricane Melissa has caused devastating damage and flooding in Jamaica and Haiti, resulting in at least 25 deaths. The category 5 storm destroyed homes, infrastructure, and crops, leaving thousands without power or shelter. The Jamaican government reported 'total devastation' across the island, with 80-90% of roofs destroyed. The international community is responding, with the US sending a disaster response team to Jamaica.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Haiti, Caribbean, Prime Minister Andrew HolnessTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic - CBS News

Hurricane Melissa is among the strongest hurricanes to have formed in the Atlantic Ocean, ranking as one of the most powerful storms in terms of both wind strength and pressure. The storm made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, tying it with Hurricane Dorian and the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the strongest landfall on record. Melissa's minimum central pressure of 892 millibars also tied it with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. The hurricane caused destruction and killed dozens in the Caribbean, with Jamaica being severely affected.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Atlantic Ocean, Jamaica, U.S. National Hurricane Center, Hurricane DorianTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction, kills dozens in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba - CBS News

Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction and loss of life in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, with dozens dead and many more displaced. The storm made landfall in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane and was expected to continue towards the Bahamas and Bermuda. The governments of affected countries are assessing damage and coordinating relief efforts, with the US offering assistance.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, BahamasTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa's devastating, deadly destruction leaves Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba reeling - CBS News

Hurricane Melissa caused devastating destruction in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, resulting in at least 27 deaths and widespread damage. The storm made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane and later in eastern Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane. Relief efforts are underway, with emergency supplies being distributed and rescue operations ongoing. The storm is expected to pass near Bermuda and may strengthen further before weakening on Friday.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Daryl VazTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa leaves widespread damage and at least 30 dead after whipping through Jamaica and Cuba | CNNClose icon

Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction and at least 30 deaths as it tore through the Caribbean, particularly affecting Jamaica and Cuba. The storm was one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in over 150 years, with winds reaching 185 mph. It made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage and knocking out power for most of the country. The storm also affected other countries, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic. International efforts have been launched to aid in the recovery efforts, with countries such as the UK, China, and the US offering assistance.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Cuba, Caribbean, AtlanticTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

U.S. honeymooners Adam and Jordan Simmons on sheltering for 28 hours in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa | CNNClose iconClose iconClose icon

US honeymooners Adam and Jordan Simmons shared their experience of sheltering for 28 hours in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa. The couple described the locals' difficult road ahead as their homes were severely affected by the hurricane. The article highlights the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica.
Entities: Adam Simmons, Jordan Simmons, Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa, CNNTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Dozens dead as 'unprecedented' Hurricane Melissa ravages through Caribbean | World News | Sky News

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has ravaged through the Caribbean, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 34 people. The storm made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday and then in Cuba on Wednesday, bringing devastating winds of up to 185mph. The hardest-hit countries are Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. The Red Cross has described the disaster as 'unprecedented catastrophe'. Authorities have reported widespread destruction, with towns destroyed, houses collapsed, and roads blocked. The international community, including the UK and US governments, has pledged aid to the affected regions. The storm has left thousands of people in shelters, with many more without power or access to basic necessities.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Caribbean, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican RepublicTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa: Do we need new 'category 6' for most extreme storms? | World News | Sky News

The article discusses the need for a new category 6 classification for extreme hurricanes in light of increasingly intense storms due to global warming. Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, is cited as an example, with sustained wind speeds of 185mph. Scientists argue that the current Saffir-Simpson scale is outdated and that a new top tier is needed to classify hurricanes with winds faster than 192mph. The article highlights the impact of climate change on hurricane intensity, with rising sea temperatures driving stronger winds. While Hurricane Melissa did not reach the hypothetical category 6 threshold, the article suggests that future storms could be even more intense.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Saffir-Simpson scale, Category 5, Category 6, Atlantic stormTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa: What we know about the powerful storm in Cuba that 'ravaged' Jamaica | World News | Sky News

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has devastated Jamaica and is now tearing through Cuba. The hurricane has caused widespread destruction, with at least 25 deaths reported in Haiti and seven in other Caribbean countries. Jamaica's prime minister declared the country a disaster area, with over 530,000 people without power and extensive damage reported. The storm was downgraded to Category 3 before reaching Cuba, but forecasters warned of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Cuba's president pledged to protect the population and mobilize resources for relief efforts.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Cuba, Andrew Holness, HaitiTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Climate change made Hurricane Melissa four times more likely: Study | The Straits Times

A study by Imperial College London found that human-caused climate change made Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, four times more likely. The hurricane brought 76cm of rainfall and sustained winds of 295kmh, causing widespread destruction. The study used a peer-reviewed model to analyze theoretical storm paths under different climate conditions and found that warming caused by burning fossil fuels increased both the likelihood and intensity of the hurricane. The researchers concluded that adaptation to climate change is vital, but stopping greenhouse gas emissions is also necessary.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Imperial College London, Professor Ralf Toumi, Grantham InstituteTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa death toll rises as storm wreaks destruction across Caribbean – as it happened | Hurricane Melissa | The Guardian

Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean, resulting in a rising death toll. The storm made landfall in Cuba as a category 3 hurricane and was downgraded to a category 1 storm as it approached the Bahamas. Jamaica was severely affected, with four bodies recovered and widespread damage reported. Haiti also suffered heavily, with at least 25 people killed in flooding caused by the hurricane. The US and UK governments have pledged aid to the affected regions. The storm has left a trail of destruction, with thousands evacuated and many communities isolated.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Caribbean, Jamaica, Cuba, BahamasTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Hurricane Melissa hits Cuba after turning Jamaica into ‘disaster area’ | Hurricane Melissa | The Guardian

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, has devastated Jamaica and Cuba, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and loss of life. Jamaica has been declared a disaster area, with over 15,000 people in shelters and more than 530,000 without electricity. The storm has also affected Haiti, where 25 people have died in floods. Climate scientists attribute the rapid intensification of the hurricane to human-caused global heating. The international community is being called upon to provide aid to the affected regions.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Andrew HolnessTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

See the devastating effects of Melissa’s path through Jamaica, Cuba - Washington Post

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and power outages. The storm left families trapped in homes and debris blocked roads. The full extent of the damage is still emerging, with reports indicating that some areas were entirely flooded. The storm then continued on to claim lives in Haiti and sweep across Cuba.
Entities: Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Maham JavaidTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform