Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica: Island Endures Strongest Storm on Record
While many states are easing into the fall season, one country prepares for the strongest storm ever recorded in its history. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is set to make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025. With dangerous winds up to 175mph, rain, flooding, and storm predicaments, government officials are doing all they can to prepare for the predicted catastrophic damage. This has included evacuation orders, flash flood warnings, and impending landslides.
According to Mint, these preparations are in response to its attacks on other countries: “The rare storm has intensified further, and has already killed three people in Haiti and one person in the Dominican Republic, reported BBC News.” While the storm is unlikely to impact the US, it has already closed all major airports in Jamaica due to heavy rain and worsening conditions. Like many countries facing natural disasters, there is only so much one can do to prepare for upcoming damage. “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said. “The question now is the speed of recovery. That’s the challenge” (CBN).
Beyond landslides, fallen trees, and power outages, one of the biggest threats Hurricane Melissa brings is the impact on hospitals along the coastline. While many patients have already been relocated to the second floor, what may happen is uncertain. With little power and communication, according to Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, Jamaica and surrounding countries are in need of prayer and a miracle: “We will [need to] get through it together,” said Evan Thompson, principal director at Jamaica’s meteorological service (CBN).
As the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Melissa is now stronger than Katrina, reports The New York Times. Landslides, physical lives, and souls are at risk: “It’s the last chance to protect your life,” said the National Hurricane Center in Jamaica. As a small country that depends on tourism for one-third of its annual revenue, Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica’s finances, future, and safety. Jamaica has limited resources to prepare for devastating storms, notes disaster and emergency preparedness experts.
According to The New York Times, 900,000 people have been ordered to evacuate Cuba’s eastern provinces, including 1,000 nonessential personnel from the U.S. Navy at its base at Guantánamo Bay. While the National Weather Service continues to gather data, the World Food Program has organized 450 metric tons of food in Haiti in advance of the hurricane. We might live in the U.S., but it’s equally our responsibility to act as the World Food Program has—to pray, help provide, and do what we can in advance to serve our brothers and sisters in crisis. This is the most powerful hurricane Jamaica has ever faced, but as Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted in his national address: “Our priority is saving lives and restoring essential services.”
As Psalm 46:1 reads: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (NIV). It’s our call as Christians to help those in trouble seek His strength today and always.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Handout / Handout
Originally published October 28, 2025.
