The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center is out, and forecasters say Hurricane Melissa is continuing to weaken after the catastrophic storm made landfall in Cuba, just hours after slamming into Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 185 mph. FOX Weather Meteorologists Stephen Morgan and Marissa Torres break down the latest forecast on Oct. 29, 2025.
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Destructive Hurricane Melissa made its second landfall early Wednesday morning, this time blasting portions of eastern Cuba with damaging winds and flooding rain just hours after devastating Jamaica as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall just after 3 a.m. ET near Chivirico, Cuba, as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph. The major hurricane immediately began to weaken after making its second landfall, but forecasters warn that the storm’s fury will continue as it spins across the island.
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A torn off roof is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A blown down fence is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Roofing peels back on home in Black River, Jamaica.
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People sit in a shelter at Holy Family Primary School in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Teenagers gather at the Bank of Jamaica’s car park on the Waterfront in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man attempts to secure the roof of his home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man covers the windows of his home with corrugated iron ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man attempts to secure the roof of his home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man uses his cellphone at the waterfront in Kingston on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on October 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island’s most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A motorist drives along flooded Michael Manley Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A fallen Jamaica Public Service Company light pole is seen on the Sugar Man’s beach main road in Hellshire, St Catherine parish, near Portmore, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A coconut tree sways in the wind at the Kingston Waterfront on Ocean Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was cutting a deadly path in the Caribbean on the night of October 25, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it took a worryingly slow course toward Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Fishermen boats are tied together in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa near the fishing village of Rae Town, East Kingston, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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This aerial view shows storm surge crashing into the seawall that protects Palisadoes Strip, the route to Norman Manley International Airport, before the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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A man installs storm shutters at a business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Portmore, St. Catherine parish, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Sandbags are placed at the entrance of the Grace Kennedy building in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and landslides, and extremely dangerous hurricane winds are ongoing this morning,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. “Remain in a safe shelter.”
The historic hurricane will move into the Atlantic and impact the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands and eventually Bermuda with vicious conditions. Residents across Jamaica are starting to emerge from their shelters to begin cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the disaster.
Before slamming into Cuba on Wednesday, millions of people across Jamaica had to endure the catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Melissa as it approached the southwestern coast of the island.
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A video shared by the Jamaica Constabulary Force shows residents seeking shelter at a police station in Black River as Hurricane Melissa was ravaging the region on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, around 1 p.m. Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 hurricane with winds of 185 mph. Hurricane Melissa is now the third-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, and is tied for the strongest landfalling hurricane on record.
Black River, not far from where landfall occurred, experienced extreme winds from the storm that peeled away roofs and sent debris flying through the air like missiles.
A video shared from the area showed residents taking refuge at a local police station, trying to stay safe as the hurricane was devastating the island.
SEE IT: POWERFUL WINDS RATTLE JAMAICA LIVE CAMERA AS MONSTER CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE MELISSA APROACHES
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray has been on the ground in Jamaica since last week covering preparations and the historic landfall on Tuesday.
He, too, experienced the extreme weather conditions that Hurricane Melissa was producing.
Ray and his team were seeking shelter inside a home in St. Ann Parish, located along the coast in north-central Jamaica.
A video shared by the team showed the moment when Hurricane Melissa’s fierce winds blew out windows, sending shards of glass flying throughout the interior of the structure.
As Ray and the team were trying to find a safer spot inside the home, sounds of more glass shattering could be heard, as well as the roar from the winds battering the region outside.
CROCODILES COULD INVADE JAMAICAN NEIGHBORHOODS IN WAKE OF HURRICANE MELISSA FLOODING
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is facing the intense winds and rain bands from Hurricane Melissa after the major hurricane made landfall in Jamaica.
By Tuesday evening, Ray and the FOX Weather crew were facing some of Melissa’s worst. Surrounded by horizontal rain and extreme gusts, Ray wore protective gear. He said the rain felt like pellets on his skin and the wind sounded like a train.
“I’m standing in mud, quite literally, right now, and everywhere I look, including the mountainside up there, it’s just ripping,” Ray said. “I mean, trees are kind of on their sides at this point, and rain is whipping through this community here.”
Fears are growing that this could become a disaster Jamaica has never seen before.
“We hope that Kingston stays in place, the capital, about a million people live there, because that airport will be a lifeline for aid to come in here and also to get people off of this Island,” Ray said.
Melissa is the first landfall of a Category 5 hurricane since Hurricane Dorian struck the northwestern Bahamas on Sept. 1, 2019.
Jamaica declared a disaster area
Powerful winds from Hurricane Melissa blasted Mandeville, Jamaica near the center of the island on Tuesday.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area in the wake of the historic storm and renewed an order to prevent price gouging.
“Our country has been ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, but we will rebuild, and we will do so even better than before,” Holness said in a post on Facebook.
Holness also encouraged his residents to remain hopeful in the wake of the storm.
“I know many, especially those in the worst affected parishes are feeling disheartened,” he continued. “Your homes may have been damaged or destroyed, and your communities and towns may no longer look the same. I know your pain, and I feel your loss.”
Holness went on to say that the government was “mobilizing quickly” to start recovery and relief operations.
For days, Jamaica’s government had been warning its residents and visitors to make preparations ahead of the monster storm’s landfall, and people were rushing to stock up on food and water to sustain them through what will likely be long-duration power and communication outages due to the storm’s ferocious impacts.
So far, no additional deaths have been reported in Jamaica. But at least three people were killed ahead of the storm, and several injuries were also reported.
“I’m very sad to say that over the past few days in preparation of the storm, we’ve had three deaths,” Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. the Hon. Chrisopher Tufton, MP, said. “Three deaths linked to cutting down of trees. And in one instance, electrocution because of or due to the cutting down of a tree.”
In terms of injuries, Tufton said most were due to people falling from trees or rooftops, car crashes and one person who was walking through water and had “a nail penetrate their skin.”
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