Summary
Hurricane Melissa reached record-breaking wind speeds, becoming the strongest Atlantic hurricane by wind speed in 46 years. The hurricane caused significant damage across several regions including Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, with an estimated $8.8 billion in damages and 102 fatalities.
Key Facts
- Hurricane Melissa's wind speeds reached 190 mph, tying with Hurricane Allen for the strongest in the Atlantic Basin.
- Melissa formed as a tropical storm on October 21, 2025, and became a Category 5 hurricane by October 28.
- It made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, and affected other regions like Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.
- The hurricane caused $8.8 billion in damages in Jamaica, making it the costliest in the country’s history.
- Melissa resulted in 102 deaths across Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
- The strongest gust recorded was 252 mph, surpassing a previous global record set in 2010 by Typhoon Megi.
- The National Hurricane Center (NHC) adjusted Melissa’s maximum sustained winds upwards by 5 mph based on thorough data analysis.
