CEDIM Forensic Disaster Analysis (FDA) Group: Hurricane MELISSA (Jamaica, Haiti & Cuba, October 2025)

At the end of October 2025, Melissa formed as the fifth tropical cyclone of the 2025 Atlantic season that reached hurricane strength. Like two of its predecessors, Erin and Humberto, Melissa developed into a Category 5 hurricane, the highest category. Average wind speeds of 160 kt and gusts of up to 190 kt made Melissa one of the strongest tropical cyclones that ever occurred in the Atlantic Basin. Melissa reached the south coast of Jamaica on October 28, 2025, at its peak intensity and crossed the island as a Category 5 hurricane heading north. Melissa became the strongest tropical cyclone ever to hit Jamaica. Tied with the Labor Day Hurricane (1935) and Dorian (2019), Melissa thus topped the list of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall since 1851.

Melissa was responsible for enormous amounts of rain, which caused devastating flooding, especially in Haiti, and claimed many lives. In Jamaica, the hurricane left a trail of destruction, with many buildings damaged. Most of the island was without power. As it continued northward, the hurricane gradually weakened, but as it passed over Cuba, Melissa was responsible for extensive damage again. ... mehrFinally, Melissa moved across the Bahamas and passed Bermuda 250 km to the west before travelling into the vastness of the North Atlantic, where it lost its hurricane status on October 31, 2025. As an extratropical storm, Melissa headed towards European waters.