Melissa is a relatively slow-moving Category 4 major hurricane—a brutal combination that will drench some parts of Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain

Hurricane Melissa strengthened to a Category 4 monster with 140 mph winds on Sunday as it slowly closed in on Jamaica, which faces a direct hit from the powerful storm.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 storm on Sunday, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to bring catastrophic flooding to the northern Caribbean.

Jamaica is bracing for Hurricane Melissa, which rapidly intensified into a strong category 4, with 140 mph maximum sustained winds.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean,

A video shared from St. Mary Parish, Jamaica, shows heavy rain and strong winds from the first outer bands of the monster storm lashing the region on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

There is nowhere that will escape the wrath of this storm,” said Evan Thompson of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service. Melissa is already blamed for four deaths.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it churned northwest through the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.

Melissa could be one of the most intense, devastating hurricanes on record in Jamaica, with widespread flooding, landslides and destructive winds. Flooding rain is also a grave concern in Hispaniola.

The NHC said strengthening is expected to continue, and the storm will likely become a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane as it creeps closer to Jamaica.

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