Historic Landfall in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as a Category 5 hurricane. It made landfall near New Hope on the southwest coast of the island.

Record‑Tying Intensity

Melissa arrived with estimated sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 mb. These figures tie it with the strongest landfalls ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, both in terms of wind and pressure.

Comparison to Atlantic Records

By matching 185 mph, Melissa joins storms like Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the classic 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as the most powerful Atlantic landfalls by wind. Its pressure of 892 mb also ties with the 1935 hurricane for the lowest recorded at landfall in the Atlantic basin.

Why This Matters

Melissa’s strength underlines how rapidly Atlantic hurricanes can intensify—and how destructive they can become at the moment of landfall. Jamaica faced catastrophic winds, rain, and surge with little time to spare.