The historic landfall of Hurricane Melissa over Jamaica on October 28, 2025, has left behind a trail of destruction, prompting authorities to declare the island a disaster area on October 29. Over half a million people were left without power as Melissa ripped through the island. While some fatalities have been reported in Jamaica, official confirmation is yet to be made.
Hurricane Melissa is forecast to produce a dangerous storm surge and life-threatening coastal flooding across the southeastern and central Bahamas on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The system is expected to pass near or just west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night, bringing hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall to the island.
At least two fatalities have been confirmed in Andhra Pradesh after Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha made landfall along the Yanam coast, Andhra Pradesh, at around 19:00 IST (13:30 UTC) on October 28, 2025.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall along the southern coast of eastern Cuba early on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 195 km/h (120 mph).
Two atmospheric rivers are forecast to affect the Pacific Northwest between October 28 and November 2, 2025, bringing periods of heavy rainfall to western Washington and northern Oregon. The first system is expected to reach AR1 strength, while the second could intensify to AR3 or AR4 as it moves inland later in the week. Hydrologic models indicate notable river rises but no significant flooding at this time.
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made historic landfall over southwestern Jamaica near New Hope at 17:00 UTC (12:00 local time) on October 28, 2025. Melissa is one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 struck the Banda Sea, Indonesia, at 14:40 UTC on October 28, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 144 km (89 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck near Sındırgı, Balıkesir Province, western Turkey at 19:48 UTC (22:48 local time) on October 27, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 6 km (3.7 miles). The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses.
More than 19 inches (483 mm) of rain fell within a few hours across Lake County, Florida, on October 26, 2025, prompting the National Weather Service in Melbourne to issue a rare Flash Flood Emergency. Severe thunderstorms caused extensive inundation in Central Florida, submerging vehicles and closing roads in Eustis, Mount Dora, and Titusville. Flood Warnings remain in effect along the St. Johns River as additional storms affect the region on October 27.
Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 strength on Monday, October 27, 2025, becoming the third Category 5 hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. On the forecast track, the center of Melissa will be near or over Jamaica late tonight or early Tuesday, cross eastern Cuba Tuesday night or early Wednesday, and then move near or over the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday. After that, the cyclone could reach the vicinity of Bermuda on Thursday night.
