"KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength Monday as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

Melissa is forecast to make landfall on the island Tuesday and cross Cuba and the Bahamas through Wednesday.

Melissa was centered about 130 miles (205 kilometers) south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 315 miles (505 kilometers) south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph) and was moving west at 3 mph (6 kph), the center said."

Dánica Coto and John Myers Jr. report  for the Associated Press October 27, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Melissa 'Could Be The Strongest Direct Landfall' In Jamaica Since Records Have Been Kept, Says The NHC" (Weather Channel) [3]

"What Happens When a Hurricane Like Melissa Doesn’t Move" (New York Times) [4]