Hurricane Melissa live updates: Jamaica braces for its worst storm in history

Hurricane Melissa, now a powerful Category 5 storm, is bearing down on Jamaica and is forecast to be the worst storm in the island's history.

Dangerous winds, rain, flooding and storm surge are in the forecast, with the worst of the destruction unfolding from noon on Monday to noon on Tuesday. Landfall is expected late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Read more

Melissa set to be worst storm in Jamaican history

For Jamaica, there will likely be a "before Melissa" and "after Melissa," similar to the long-term impact of other historic hurricanes like Katrina, Sandy and Michael.

The strongest hurricane on record to make landfall over Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 130 mph. As of Monday morning, Melissa was classified as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph.

The 24 hours from midday on Monday to midday on Tuesday are forecast to be the most destructive for the island. The worst of the storm is expected to have passed over Jamaica by Wednesday morning.

Tropical storm-force winds are already occurring across Jamaica. They will steadily increase through Monday. Hurricane force winds are expected late tonight and through Wednesday morning.

This ABC News graphic shows the forecast for Hurricane Melissa as of Oct. 27, 2025.

ABC News

Due to Melissa's slow pace, massive amounts of rain will fall on the island totaling 15 to 30 inches -- and up to 40 inches in localized areas.

The National Hurricane Center has warned that this rainfall is expected to produce catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding today through Tuesday.

-ABC News' Kenton Gewecke