Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica, officially making landfall near New Hope on the west/central part of the island early this afternoon as a Category 5 hurricane.
The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. Dr. Michael Brennan of the National Hurricane Center in the United States this morning warned that the storm would bring “catastrophic wind damage” in the eye wall, amounting to “total structural failure.”
Michael Brennan of the National Hurricane Centre in this morning’s update via YouTube (NHC)
“This is an extremely dangerous life-threatening situation, take cover now” Brennan warned. “Catastrophic winds with total structural failure (is) likely near the path of Melissa’s core as the eye wall moves across portions of western Jamaica.” He says “catastrophic flash flooding, landslides and destructive winds are expected to cross the remainder of the island, causing widespread infrastructure damage, communications loss, power loss, isolating communities. And along the southern coast, life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected throughout the day.”
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Still shots of a number of locations in Jamaica mid-day Tuesday
Some live camera shots, where power still exists can be found here.
The intensity and the eye of Hurricane Melissa can be clearly seen in this satellite imagery via the National Hurricane Center in the U.S.
Intense footage from inside Black River Hospital as the eye wall of Hurricane #Melissa makes landfall, causing significant damage. Footage captured by Dee Anthony.#HurricaneMelissa #Jamaica pic.twitter.com/5FV9Y8fN9R
— ChaseWithHam (@Ham_BklynWx) October 28, 2025
