CARIBBEAN — October 29, 2025
Hurricane Melissa continues its destructive path across the Caribbean after slamming Jamaica as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record. The storm, which roared ashore in Jamaica late Tuesday with catastrophic winds near 185 mph, crossed into eastern Cuba early Wednesday morning and is now tracking toward the Bahamas.
Current Conditions
As of Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center reported Melissa’s center near eastern Cuba, moving north-northeast at about 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds are still estimated around 115 mph, keeping it at hurricane strength even after land interaction.
The storm’s pressure remains low — roughly 968 millibars — a sign of its intensity despite gradual weakening.
Eastern Cuba is facing widespread power outages, heavy flooding, and wind damage, particularly in the Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo regions. Emergency officials there have ordered large-scale evacuations, while recovery efforts continue across Jamaica where entire communities remain without power or communications.
Forecast Path
Forecasters expect Melissa to emerge back over open water by late Wednesday and move toward the Bahamas through Thursday.
While the storm is projected to weaken slightly as it tracks northeast, it is expected to remain a hurricane for at least the next 24 to 48 hours, bringing damaging winds and torrential rainfall to the northern and central Bahamas.
Beyond that, models show the system turning farther east into the open Atlantic, away from the U.S. mainland — but meteorologists caution that small changes in track could alter impacts along the East Coast, especially with surf and rip current hazards.
Impacts in the Next 24-48 Hours
Rainfall: Up to 6 to 10 inches of rain could fall across eastern Cuba and parts of the Bahamas, leading to flash flooding and landslides in mountainous areas. Winds: Hurricane-force gusts will continue across parts of eastern Cuba through midday Wednesday before spreading into the Bahamas overnight. Storm Surge: Coastal flooding and large battering waves are expected along southern and eastern Bahamian shores. Rip Currents: The U.S. East Coast — from Florida through the Carolinas — could experience dangerous surf and rip currents by Thursday and Friday even as the storm stays offshore.
U.S. and Mid-Atlantic Outlook
Melissa is not expected to make landfall in the continental United States, but meteorologists warn that the system will help generate rough surf, coastal flooding, and marine advisories along the Atlantic seaboard later this week.
For the Mid-Atlantic and Pennsylvania region, the primary effects will be increased coastal winds and rain potential from moisture wrapping into a cold front by the weekend.
Officials Urge Vigilance
Emergency management agencies across the Caribbean are urging residents to stay indoors and away from flooded areas. In Jamaica, thousands are still in shelters as damage assessments continue.
Cuban authorities have mobilized military and rescue crews to restore electricity and clear debris from blocked highways, while the Bahamas have activated hurricane shelters and suspended ferry operations.
The National Hurricane Center will issue updates every few hours as the storm moves northward.
What’s Next
Meteorologists will be closely watching for signs of additional tropical development in the Atlantic basin — as sea-surface temperatures remain unusually warm and atmospheric conditions remain favorable for more storms before the end of hurricane season.
For now, Hurricane Melissa remains a major threat to the Bahamas, with conditions expected to deteriorate through Thursday
