Article first published: Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, 5 a.m. ET

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.

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.

Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a major Category 4 hurricane, with the possibility of intensifying to a Category 5 storm Sunday night,

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

Hurricane Melissa has developed into a Category 4 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on Sunday, adding that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 140 mph (220 km/h).

The National Hurricane Center is keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane.

Melissa could become a Category 5 storm and bring catastrophic rain to Haiti and Jamaica, the US National Hurricane Center said.