Hurricane Melissa pummelled Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, and thousands of people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.
The island was bombarded by “damaging winds, catastrophic flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge,” according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane was ranked as a Category 5 storm, the highest level of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, when it reached Jamaica.
The International Federation of the Red Cross previously estimated that up to 1.5 million people could be affected by the extremely dangerous hurricane.
Fallen trees and utility poles, and blocked roads were reported by parishes across the island, according to the island’s minister of local government and community development, Desmond McKenzie. Heavy flood waters were also reported.
The parish of St. Elizabeth is completely submerged, and the island’s only hospital lost power and reported severe damage to one of its buildings.
As of Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, the storm has made landfall as a Category 3 and is moving along Eastern Cuba, according to the NHC, and bringing more damaging winds, flooding rains, and storm surge.
The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos will also be affected by the storm on Wednesday.
Live updates: Hurricane Melissa barrels over Cuba after hammering Jamaica
See pictures of the Hurricane Melissa aftermath in Jamaica
A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025.
Downed tree branches block a road as Hurricane Melissa approaches, in Gordon Town, Jamaica, Oct. 28.
A man watches the waves, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 28, 2025.
A partially collapsed hoarding frame near the Digicel Delves Building, as Hurricane Melissa approaches, in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, October 28, 2025.
A man looks on as Hurricane Melissa approaches in Kingston, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Dinah Voyles Pulver, Jeanine Santucci; USA TODAY
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See pictures of Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa
