For Jamaica, there’ll probably be a “earlier than Melissa” and “after Melissa,” just like the long-term impression of different historic hurricanes like Katrina, Sandy and Michael.
This ABC Information graphic reveals the forecast for Hurricane Melissa as of Oct. 27, 2025.
ABC Information
The strongest hurricane on file to make landfall over Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Class 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 130 mph. As of Monday morning, Melissa was labeled as a Class 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph.
The 24 hours from noon on Monday to noon on Tuesday are forecast to be probably the most harmful for the island. The worst of the storm is predicted to have handed over Jamaica by Wednesday morning.
Tropical storm-force winds are already occurring throughout Jamaica. They’ll steadily enhance by Monday. Hurricane pressure winds are anticipated late tonight and thru Wednesday morning.

This ABC Information graphic reveals the forecast for Hurricane Melissa as of Oct. 27, 2025.
ABC Information
Resulting from Melissa’s gradual tempo, large quantities of rain will fall on the island totaling 15 to 30 inches — and as much as 40 inches in localized areas.
The Nationwide Hurricane Middle has warned that this rainfall is predicted to provide catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding at this time by Tuesday.
-ABC Information’ Kenton Gewecke

