Jamaica on high alert as Hurricane Melissa strengthens to Category 4 storm

Published October 27th, 2025 - 05:57 GMT
Hurricane Melissa
This RAMMB/CIRA handout satellite image shows Hurricane Melissa southeast of Jamaica at 03:30 UTC on October 26, 2025. Photo by - / RAMMB/CIRA / AFP

ALBAWABA - Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to become a Category 4 storm, causing stir and increasing fears in Jamaica and a few other areas in the Caribbean on Sunday.

AFP reported that weather experts and local authorities warned that Hurricane Melissa could cause massive flooding and urged people to move to shelters.

Hurricane Melissa left at least four people killed in Haiti and the Dominican Republic this week, causing heavy rains and landslides.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that the storm's winds could generate winds of about 230 kilometers/ per hour. It further mentioned that the storm could evolve to become a Category 5 storm.

"This extreme rainfall potential, owing to the slow motion, is going to create a catastrophic event here for Jamaica," NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome commented.

A picture was released from space by RAMMB/CIRA satellite showed Hurricane Melissa approaching the southeast of Jamaica at 03:30 UTC on October 26.

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