Hurricane Melissa, which has developed into a Category 5 storm, moves north in the Caribbean Sea towards Jamaica and Cuba in a composite satellite image obtained by Reuters on October 27, 2025. CIRA/NOAA/Handout via REUTERS KINGSTON,

An intensifying Melissa is expected to bring destructive flooding to Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic before tracking toward Cuba next week.

Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with dangerous winds, storm surge and flash flooding expected in Jamaica, forecasters said.

Jamaica faces damaging winds and heavy rainfall Monday and Tuesday that could trigger catastrophic and life-threatening flash floods and landslides.

Jamaica likely will take a direct hit from this major hurricane, which could be the strongest in recorded history to hit the island nation.

Officials warned that Hurricane Melissa, which intensified into a Category 5 storm early Monday morning, could cause catastrophic damage in Jamaica as it moves through the Caribbean.

Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 4 hurricane heading towards Jamaica and Cuba and is expected to bring catastrophic floods, landslides and storm surges to the region, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday.