The director of apostolates for a Jamaica-based religious community serving the poor in Kingston said Oct. 28 that the Category-5 Hurricane Melissa seems to be sparing Kingston the worst of its wrath. But he added that the storm was not yet finished and much remained unknown about the historic hurricane’s impact in the region.

The center of Hurricane Charlie skirted the southern coast of Jamaica on the night of Aug. 17, 1951, before it made landfall early the next morning as a strong Category 3 storm, bringing destructive winds to the entirety of the island, according to the NHC. The strongest winds at Kingston were measured at 110 mph.

Dozens of U.S. military personnel are bringing medical supplies and emergency gear after Hurricane Melissa killed at least 19 on Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is expected across southern Jamaica, with officials concerned about the impact on some hospitals along

(Photo: A person walks down a street affected by Hurricane Melissa; in Santa Cruz, Jamaica, 30 October 2025. Credit: Orlando Barría/EPA/Shutterstock)

The Jamaican government said it had done all it could to prepare as it warned of massive damage from the strongest hurricane to hit the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago.

As powerful images show the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, people on Long Island are jumping into action to get aid flowing. It was the most powerful hurricane to lash the Caribbean island in recorded history,