The most destructive hurricane of the year, Hurricane Melissa walloped Jamaica in late October AFP | Getty Images
Devastating Hurricane Hits Jamaica
NOVEMBER 30, 2025
Hurricane Melissa, which formed on October 21, 2025, in the Atlantic Ocean, rapidly intensified into a Category 5 behemoth—one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded. By October 28th, it made landfall in Jamaica with sustained winds reaching 185 mph and a central pressure dropping to just 892 mb, tying records for its sheer ferocity. This explosive growth was fueled by abnormally warm Caribbean waters (over 3°C above average), causing Melissa to evolve from a tropical storm into an apocalyptic hurricane within 48 hours—a frighteningly short period for preparation or evacuation.
Senior Destinee Torres said, “I am very concerned about the funding cuts to weather services, seeing how notification services can save lives, I really hope our government can emphasize accurate weather-tracking provisions.”
Some facts about this hurricane include that it was the first-ever Category-5 landfall on record, it obliterated power grids, triggered flooding from its 30+ inches of rain, and caused mass displacement due to the collapse of roads and homes from debris and runoff.
Junior, Abigail Tattegrain said, “Hearing that it was the first Category-5 hurricane really puts into perspective how horrifying it must have been for the people living there. The amount of flooding and displacement also emphasize the long term impact this may have on the communities.”
The slow-moving storm’s danger was amplified as rains flooded communities up to six miles inland and wind flattened buildings and snapped trees. Nearby islands also reeled from impacts, including deadly floods across Haiti’s already-vulnerable terrain and damage to ridges and harbors caused by coastal surge, with water levels rising beyond normal high tides in Cuba. Scientists warn that Melissa is an example of a “dangerous new normal,” where climate change plays a clear role in amplifying hurricane intensity through warmer oceans and atmospheric patterns that fuel stronger storms.
