Kingston, Jamaica – October 27, 2025 – Major Hurricane Melissa, a slow-moving and rapidly intensifying system, is now bearing down on the Caribbean, triggering urgent evacuation orders and heightened fears of widespread devastation across Jamaica, southern Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eventually Cuba. As of Monday morning, meteorological agencies confirm Melissa has achieved major hurricane status, with its destructive core projected to bring catastrophic flooding, life-threatening storm surge, and powerful winds to some of the region's most vulnerable communities.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued grave warnings, indicating that Melissa’s slow forward speed is expected to exacerbate its impact, allowing for prolonged periods of torrential rainfall and storm surge. This scenario significantly elevates the risk of widespread and destructive inland flooding, particularly in mountainous areas prone to landslides.

Immediate Threats and Forecasted Path

According to the latest advisories, Hurricane Melissa is currently positioned south of Jamaica, moving slowly northwest. Forecasters expect the storm to continue its powerful trajectory, making a direct impact or passing dangerously close to Jamaica by late Monday or early Tuesday. Following its passage near Jamaica, Melissa is anticipated to track towards the southern coast of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, before turning northward towards Cuba later in the week.

The primary threats associated with Melissa include:

• Destructive Flooding: Expected across Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, with rainfall totals potentially exceeding 20 inches in localized areas. This poses a severe risk of flash floods and mudslides.
• Life-Threatening Storm Surge: Coastal areas, particularly in Jamaica and Haiti, are bracing for significant inundation as the storm pushes vast amounts of seawater ashore.
• Damaging Winds: Sustained hurricane-force winds will impact landmasses directly in Melissa's path, capable of causing widespread power outages, structural damage, and felling trees.

Emergency Response and Preparedness

Governments across the affected nations have declared states of emergency, activating national disaster response plans. In Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressed the nation, urging residents in identified high-risk coastal and low-lying areas to comply immediately with evacuation orders. Emergency shelters have been opened island-wide, and military and police forces are assisting with logistics and public safety.

"We cannot afford to take this storm lightly," Prime Minister Holness stated in a televised address. "The rapid intensification of Melissa presents a clear and present danger. We are deploying all available resources, but the safety of our citizens depends on their cooperation and adherence to evacuation protocols."

Similarly, authorities in Haiti's southern departments are struggling to manage mass evacuations in a region still recovering from previous natural disasters. Aid organizations, including the Red Cross and various UN agencies, are pre-positioning relief supplies, including food, water, and emergency shelter kits, anticipating a significant humanitarian impact, particularly in Haiti where infrastructure is notoriously fragile. The Dominican Republic has also activated its emergency operations centers, deploying personnel to prepare for potential flooding in its western and southern provinces.

The Long-Term Outlook for Cuba

While Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic face immediate dangers, Cuba is now squarely in Melissa's projected path for later this week. Cuban authorities are closely monitoring the storm, with initial preparedness measures, including securing buildings and preparing for potential evacuations in vulnerable coastal communities, already underway. The island nation, known for its robust hurricane preparedness systems, is expected to activate its comprehensive civil defense protocols as the storm's trajectory becomes clearer.

The slow-moving nature of Melissa, combined with its continued intensification over warm Caribbean waters, presents a complex and evolving threat. Meteorologists are emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of official advisories and for residents in the entire forecast cone to finalize their emergency plans without delay. The coming days will be critical for millions in the Caribbean as Hurricane Melissa unleashes its powerful fury.