10/27/2025

Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm as it tracks west across the Caribbean Sea early October 27th. The system was located roughly 205 km south of Kingston, Jamaica, producing sustained winds of 260 km/h. Forecast models indicate Hurricane Melissa will maintain its strength as it moves north and makes landfall over Jamaica’s southern coast in Saint Elizabeth Parish early October 28th. The system is then expected to weaken to a Category 3 storm before crossing Santiago de Cuba Province early October 29th and continuing toward the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands later that day.

The Jamaican government has closed all airports, suspended public transport, and ordered evacuations in low-lying coastal zones. At the same time, Cuba has begun relocating residents in the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo. As Hurricane Melissa moves northeast, flight suspensions and port closures are expected across the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and the southeastern Bahamas. Life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, and widespread landslides are expected through October 29th. Travelers should expect severe disruptions to regional air and sea operations and avoid all non-essential travel in the storm’s path.