Hurricane Melissa Live Updates: Category 5 Monster Has Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti In Its Path

Drones Deliver Hurricane Melissa Relief Supplies

Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 storm, capable of dumping catastrophic rainfall in addition to the powerful winds it's packing. The monster storm has begun to impact Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, and it's expected to cause life-threatening problems for days during its slow crawl through the Caribbean.

(MORE: Full Forecast | Maps Tracker)

Follow along all day for the latest below:

(08:42 a.m. EDT) More Than 'Wild Gilbert'?

Strong words from senior meteorologist Jon Erdman:

"I hope Jamaica is truly prepared for the fury, onslaught and aftermath of Melissa.

Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 raked across the island, with 45 killed. An estimated one-fifth of the island’s homes were either destroyed or severely damaged, leaving hundreds homeless. Many roads were blocked and massive food shortages occurred.

But Melissa could be a slower, more intense storm. I pray this won’t be Jamaica’s 'Maria.'

The island will need significant outside help recovering for months, at least."

(08:00 a.m. EDT) Melissa Is STILL Gaining Strength

From senior meteorologist Jon Erdman:

According to the 8 a.m. EDT advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Melissa’s central pressure has now dropped to 913 millibars.

A millibar is a unit of pressure meteorologists use to gauge the strength of hurricanes and low-pressure systems over land and oceans.

While the 160 mph maximum winds hadn’t changed in this latest advisory, the central pressure dropped 4 mb from the 5 a.m. advisory.

This means Melissa is still gaining strength. Its winds may soon tick upward.

(07:36 a.m. EDT) Melissa’s Eye Visible From Space Station

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Hurricane Melissa’s eye and organization were visible from the International Space Station as it passed over the Caribbean Sunday morning. Watch the video of what this monster storm looks like from space:

(07:10 a.m. EDT) Melissa Is Already Deadly

From writer Renee Straker:

This storm is already blamed for four deaths. At least three people died in Haiti from falling trees and landslides. A fourth death was reported in the Dominican Republic, with another person reported missing.

The deaths in Haiti happened before Melissa even strengthened to a hurricane, a tragic reminder of the power and danger of slow-moving storms.

(06:38 a.m. EDT) Stuck On A Caribbean Vacation? Here's What We Recommend

Late October is usually a time when travelers start to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking the worst of hurricane season is over for the Caribbean. But with Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica and several other Caribbean islands are in the path of a massive storm, and thousands of travelers are now stranded with airports closed and no way out.

With the help of the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas, here are some key things to keep in mind if you get stuck on a Caribbean island in the path of a tropical cyclone:

- Pay attention to updates if you're staying at a resort or hotel. Evacuate if told — don't stay behind or ignore evacuation plans. If you're in a well-built structure, it might be the best choice to stay put and keep as many walls as possible between you and the outside world.

- Once the storm passes (keep in mind that if you're in the eye of the storm, you're only halfway done), stay put if possible, or be extremely careful walking around. Live wires could be downed, and floodwaters can have hazardous substances or animals.

(06:18 a.m. EDT) We’re Witnessing History

From senior meteorologist Jon Erdman:

While both Category 4 and 5 hurricanes can have devastating impacts, the prospects of a Category 5 not just passing Jamaica by, but making landfall there, would be unprecedented in NOAA records dating to the mid-19th century.

Only two previous hurricanes — Ivan in 2004 and Allen in 1980 — passed within 70 miles of Jamaica at Category 5 intensity. Neither of those made landfall.

(05:55 a.m. EDT) How Rare Is Rapid Intensification?

Defined as an increase in a tropical storm or hurricane's maximum sustained winds of at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less, rapid intensification (which we saw with Melissa) remains one of the most difficult things to nail down in the tropics. And it can have some of the most severe consequences when a storm explodes in intensity just hours before making landfall.

But is it rare? Well, it's a little more common than you might think. Read this article for a complete breakdown.

(05:35 a.m. EDT) Sunday Brought Storm Surge, High Winds

From writer Renee Straker:

Parts of Jamaica were already feeling the impacts of Melissa before sunset on Sunday.

The Jamaica Observer showed storm surge and rising tides overwhelming beaches in some parishes.

All 881 shelters are open across the island. Students who are riding out the storm at the University of the West Indies campus in Mona received storm supplies on Sunday.

(05:00 a.m. EDT) Category 5!

As of 5 a.m. EDT, Hurricane Melissa has joined Erin and Humberto as the trio of Atlantic Basin hurricanes to hit the highest end of the Saffir-Simpson scale in 2025. That's right, three of five hurricanes in the Atlantic have hit Category 5 (and Gabrielle topped out at Category 4).

"Some additional strengthening is forecast today, with fluctuations in intensity likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica early Tuesday," the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. advisory. "Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as a powerful major hurricane, and will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the southeastern Bahamas."

Melissa is the seventh Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in the 2020s; it's the 44th Category 5 hurricane in the basin since 1924, according to NOAA's historical database.

You can read more about the basin's Category 5 history here.

(04:45 a.m. EDT) The Latest On Melissa

From senior meteorologist Jon Erdman:

What we know right now (before 5 a.m.):

• Bands of heavy rain and tropical storm conditions have arrived in Jamaica.

• Bands of heavy rain are streaming into southern Haiti.

• Hurricane-force conditions are forecast to arrive in Jamaica tonight and continue at least into Tuesday midday, if not a bit later.

• Hurricane conditions are forecast to arrive in eastern Cuba Tuesday evening.

What we don't yet know: Will it make landfall at Category 5 in Jamaica? Frankly, that's only important to meteorologists. The severe, potentially catastrophic impacts will occur in Jamaica regardless of a 5-10 mph difference in peak winds.