BREAKING: Hurricane Melissa LIVE Updates — Jamaica on High Alert ⚠️
Meteorologists warn this could be the most powerful storm in Jamaica’s recorded history, with winds topping 160 mph and heavy rain already flooding coastal towns. 🌊
Emergency shelters are filling fast as officials urge residents to evacuate low-lying areas immediately. 🚨
The next 24 hours will be critical — and the footage coming out right now is absolutely terrifying. 😢
👇 Follow live updates as the situation unfolds

Hurricane Melissa live updates: Jamaica braces for worst storm in its history

Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 5 storm, is bearing down on Jamaica and is forecast to be the worst storm in the island’s history.

Melissa is set to bring catastrophic winds, rain, flooding and storm surge to Jamaica, where residents and tourists are sheltering in place. Landfall is expected early Tuesday morning.

Latest Developments

_{Oct 28, 1:06 AM}
7 dead, over a dozen injured as Hurricane Melissa hits the Caribbean

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As Hurricane Melissa brings devastating conditions to the Caribbean, at least seven people have died in relation to the storm, according to the Associated Press.

Three people have died in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing, according to the outlet.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Jamaica confirmed on Monday that, in preparation for the storm, three people died. Some of the deaths occurred while cutting down trees and from electrocution. There have also been 15 injuries involving falling off heights, like rooftops and car accidents, officials said.

-ABC News’ Jessica Gorman

_{Oct 28, 12:11 AM}
Latest on Hurricane Melissa’s path

Hurricane Melissa remains a dangerous, Category 5 storm with landfall in western Jamaica expected Tuesday morning.

Melissa has winds of 175 mph and a central pressure dropping to 903 mb as of 11 p.m. ET on Monday night. Hurricane Melissa is now the strongest tropical cyclone on Earth in 2025.

ABC News – PHOTO: Hurricane Melissa will reach Cuba on Tuesday night as a major hurricane. And then the Southeastern Bahamas at hurricane strength.

The hurricane is moving very slowly at 2 mph, and the turn to the north-northeast is happening as it heads toward western Jamaica. Catastrophic winds, flooding, and storm surge are imminent for Jamaica Monday night through Tuesday. Conditions will deteriorate overnight.

Some fluctuations in intensity remain possible leading up to landfall — but regardless of whether it’s a Category 4 or 5, the impacts will be the same.

ABC News – PHOTO: Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 5 storm with winds of 175 mph, will slam into Jamaica as the worst storm the island has ever seen.

Tropical storm conditions are happening in Jamaica on Monday night and the catastrophic hurricane-force wind conditions will arrive in western Jamaica by morning as it makes landfall. Locally, up to 40 inches of rain and up to 13 feet of storm surge along the south shore will remain possible in Jamaica.

Melissa will reach Cuba Tuesday night as a major hurricane before reaching the Southeastern Bahamas at hurricane strength.

‘Don’t wait, don’t gamble with your life’: Jamaican official warns those in low-lying areas

As Jamaica braces for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles Jr., joined ABC News Live, saying those in especially vulnerable areas need to heed the warnings of officials.

“The Prime Minister has also declared evacuation orders, which means it’s not a suggestion; it is a directive to save your life, to remove yourself from communities that are extremely vulnerable, the low-lying, flood-prone areas, and to get you to a shelter,” Charles said.

The evacuation Order applies to Port Royal in Kingston; Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in Clarendon; Old Harbour Bay in St. Catherine; and New Haven, Riverton City and Taylor Land in St. Andrew, according to officials.

Octavio Jones/Reuters – PHOTO: Jamaicans make preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa

“Don’t wait, don’t gamble with your life if you are in one of those areas that are low lying, just get out, you know, secure what you can secure. … Get your medicine, get your documents, get your children and get to a space that is higher ground and safer,” Charles added.

“There is no possession or pride that is as important as a single life. So the message is, protect yourself, protect your family, and also look out for the elders. Look out for the persons with disabilities and those right now who need support. It’s unity and collaboration to protect this nation,” he said.

_{Oct 27, 10:26 PM}
Hurricane Hunters pass through Hurricane Melissa’s eye

A U.S. Air Force Reserve crew, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” flew through the eye of Hurricane Melissa on Monday.

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U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, aka the “Hurricane Hunters,” flew into the eye of Hurricane Melissa on Monday to collect data for the National Hurricane Center.
Lt. Col. Mark Withee captured the crew making multiple passes through the storm. The Hurricane Hunters’ mission is to collect critical weather data for the National Hurricane Center.

Melissa has strongest tropical cyclone winds on Earth this year

With 175 mph sustained winds, Hurricane Melissa has the strongest tropical cyclone winds on Earth in 2025.

Melissa is forecast to maintain its strength and make landfall as a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane in Jamaica on Tuesday morning.