Tropical Storm Melissa has rapidly intensified into a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, now considered the most powerful in Jamaica's recorded history. With maximum sustained winds of 175 mph and even stronger gusts, the storm has become the strongest on the planet in 2025, marking an unprecedented moment in the Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued dire warnings of extensive infrastructure damage and life-threatening conditions across Jamaica and surrounding regions.
