Honestly, if you ask anyone in Kingston or MoBay about the weather lately, they won’t just talk about the heat. They’ll talk about October 28, 2025. That was the day Hurricane Melissa, a monstrous Category 5 storm, decided to make Jamaica its primary target. It wasn't just another "close call" or a southern "sideswipe" like we saw with Beryl earlier in 2024. This was the real deal. A direct hit.
The last hurricane to hit Jamaica didn't just bring rain; it brought 185 mph winds that felt like the world was ending. For those of us tracking these things, it was a terrifying milestone. Melissa became the strongest hurricane to actually make landfall on the island since the legendary Hurricane Gilbert back in 1988. People like to compare storms, but the elders will tell you—this one had a different kind of anger to it.
Why Hurricane Melissa was Different
Most storms usually pass to the south. They "brush" the coast, maybe knock down some trees in St. Elizabeth, and head toward Mexico. Not Melissa. This storm took a path that meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) described as "extremely dangerous" with a high probability of "total structural failure" for buildings in its eye-path.
It made landfall late on Tuesday, October 28. By the time the eye moved over the island, the power grid was basically a memory. Roughly half a million people in the western parishes were plunged into total darkness. You’ve probably seen the satellite photos by now—the ones from NASA showing that massive "plume of bright blue" in the water after the storm. That wasn't just a pretty picture; it was the ocean floor being literally churned up by the sheer force of the wind and surge.
The Stacking Effect: Beryl vs. Melissa
We can't talk about Melissa without mentioning Hurricane Beryl. Beryl hit in July 2024, and while it was a Category 4 that caused nearly $200 million in damage, it was technically a "near-miss" because the center stayed offshore.
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But here is the kicker: Jamaica was still bleeding when Melissa arrived.
- The "Breadbasket" problem: St. Elizabeth had barely started replanting its scallion and melon crops after Beryl.
- Infrastructure fatigue: Roads that were patched up in August 2024 were completely washed away by Melissa’s 2.5-meter storm surge.
- Economic strain: Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett recently noted that while we hoped for a 2% growth in 2025, the island ended the year 20% below those targets.
It’s what experts call "compounding disasters." You don't have time to breathe between the hits.
What the Ground Looked Like
If you were in places like Portland Cottage or Rocky Point during the height of it, the stories are harrowing. One family in a wooden home in the south reported huddling in a bathtub under a yoga mat for four hours while their roof was peeled off like a tin can. That’s the reality of the last hurricane to hit Jamaica. It’s not just a stat on a Wikipedia page; it’s the sound of galvanized zinc sheets screaming in the wind.
The damage to the agricultural sector was particularly brutal. We’re talking about 23,000 hectares of farmland destroyed. For a country that prides itself on local food, losing the banana and plantain harvest for the second time in 18 months was a massive blow to the gut.
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Recovery: Where are We Now?
It is now January 2026, and the recovery is... well, it’s a process. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been pushing the "Build Back Better" mantra, but that’s easier said than done when you're dealing with a debt spiral from back-to-back storms.
The government recently launched the ROOFS initiative (Shelter Recovery Programme) to help people get permanent structures back over their heads. They’re aiming to have tourism back to 80% of pre-hurricane levels by the end of 2026. Some of the big resorts, like Sandals and Bahia Principe, are actually using this time to do massive renovations, basically relaunching as "new" products.
What People Often Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that "Jamaica is used to this." While it’s true that Jamaicans are some of the most resilient people on earth, no one gets used to a Category 5 landfall. The scale of Melissa was a wake-up call regarding climate change and rising sea temperatures. The Caribbean Sea is getting warmer, and that extra heat acts like high-octane fuel for these storms.
Also, don't assume because a hotel is "open" that the whole parish is fine. While the tourist hubs in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios often bounce back fast because they have the capital and generators, the rural farming communities are often struggling for months, if not years, to find their footing again.
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Essential Takeaways for the Future
If you are living in or visiting Jamaica, the lesson from the last hurricane to hit Jamaica is pretty simple: past experience doesn't dictate future risk. Just because you survived a Category 2 doesn't mean you're ready for a Melissa-sized event.
- Respect the Surge: Wind is scary, but the water is what kills and destroys infrastructure. If you’re in a low-lying area, move early.
- Verify the Source: During Melissa, WhatsApp rumors were flying faster than the wind. Stick to the ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) or the Meteorological Service of Jamaica.
- Insurance Matters: For homeowners, having "perils" coverage that specifically includes windstorm and flood is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.
- Community Resilience: The most effective "first responders" are usually your neighbors. Strengthening local community groups has proven to be more effective than waiting for central government aid in the first 48 hours.
The road to full recovery from the 2025 season will likely stretch into 2027 or 2028. But if there’s one thing history shows, it’s that Jamaica knows how to rebuild. It just shouldn't have to do it quite this often.
Next Steps for Recovery and Readiness:
To stay informed or assist with ongoing efforts, you can monitor the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) for updates on the ROOFS initiative or contribute to the Jamaica Red Cross, which continues to manage shelters and distribute hygiene kits in the hardest-hit western parishes. For those traveling to the island, check with your specific resort regarding their operational status, as many are undergoing phased reopenings through February 2026.