Hurricane Melissa Intensifies, Threatening Catastrophic Flooding in Northern Caribbean

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 26TH OCT 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Hurricane Melissa rapidly strengthened into a major Category 3 storm late Saturday, posing a severe threat of catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean. The slow-moving hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), was centered approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 280 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, moving west at just 3 mph.

Forecasters warned of torrential rains affecting Jamaica, as well as southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday, with life-threatening flash flooding and landslides expected. Melissa could further intensify to Category 4 by Tuesday, prompting the U.S. National Hurricane Center to issue a hurricane warning for Jamaica.

Melissa’s slow pace and rapid strengthening raise concerns of prolonged heavy rainfall, making preparations critical for affected communities. Authorities urged residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the hurricane continues to approach the region.