Hurricane Melissa ranks as one of strongest Atlantic storms to make landfall
Original story by: ABC News
Last updated: Oct 28, 2025
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- Context: Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, marking one of the most powerful hurricanes on record for the Atlantic Basin. This event highlights the increasing intensity of tropical storms, a trend linked to human-caused climate change. The article also provides historical context by comparing Melissa's strength to other significant hurricanes like Dorian and the 1935 "Labor Day" hurricane.
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- Detailed Summary:
- Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph, causing catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surge.
- This makes Melissa one of the strongest hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin, tied with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 "Labor Day" hurricane for sustained winds at landfall.
- Hurricane Dorian caused significant destruction and an estimated $3.4 billion in losses in the Bahamas, with at least 74 fatalities.
- The 1935 "Labor Day" hurricane resulted in an estimated 409 deaths and destroyed most structures in the Florida Keys.
- Melissa is also the strongest storm to ever make landfall in Jamaica, surpassing Hurricane Gilbert (1988) which was a Category 4 storm.
- Recent research indicates that human-caused climate change is intensifying tropical systems due to ocean warming, leading to more storms reaching Category 4 or 5 intensity.
- Rising sea levels, also linked to climate change, worsen storm surge impacts and coastal flooding.
- Scientists note an increase in the frequency of major hurricanes (Category 3 and above), even if the total number of hurricanes has not necessarily increased.
- The turbulence caused by Hurricane Melissa was so severe that "Hurricane Hunters" were forced to turn back from flying into the storm's eye.
- Experts emphasize the need for immediate recovery programs and long-term solutions for a more climate-resilient future due to the increasing power of storms.
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