Category 5 hurricane Melissa is barrelling across the Caribbean Sea towards Jamaica and is expected to make landfall in the coming hours.
After sustaining wind speeds of up to 175mph, it is the world's strongest storm of 2025.
The US National Hurricane Centre has warned parts of Jamaica could see rainfall of up to 40 inches and a "life-threatening storm surge".
It could cause "catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides" as well as "total structural failure”, it warned.
Jamaica's government said three people have died and 13 were injured in preparations for the storm's arrival.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said “for Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure."
Have you been affected by Hurricane Melissa? Get in touch by emailing megan.howe@standard.co.uk.
Follow the latest updates below.
What can we expect to happen?
16:23 , Megan HoweThe eye of the storm is expected to make landfall at around midday local time (17.00 GMT).
The storm is expected to be category five when it hits land, before weakening to category four as it crosses the island
A storm surge is expected to hit certain bays and inlets, rising to 13ft (4m) in some areas
Widespread power cuts have already taken place, with some 200,000 people reportedly without electricity. Some still have access to the internet and many hospitals still have a power supply, but not all of them.
Emergency relief flights could begin as early as Thursday.
'Take cover now', says National Hurricane Center
14:40 , Megan HoweThe US National Hurricane Centre has reported that Hurricane Melissa is now around 45 miles (75km) away from Jamaica.
"This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation," the NHC says, as it cautions people on the island to "take cover now".
It warns that if people fail to "adequately shelter", this could result in serious injury or loss of life.
"To protect yourself from wind, the best thing you can do is put as many walls as possible between you and the outside," it says.
A room inside, particularly one without windows and away from trees, is the safest place to be., the Center advises.
It also suggests covering yourself with a mattress or helmet.
Power is out in Kingston
14:37 , Megan HowePower infrastructure in Kingston is down, as Hurricane Melissa closes in on the island.
The internet is still working, but that relies on a generator, which will eventually run out of power.
According to reports, people are using satellite phones to feed information to those dealing with the disaster.
Hurricane will be 'storm of the century'
12:49 , Megan HoweHurricane Melissa will be the "storm of the century" for Jamaica and is expected to cause a "catastrophic situation", an official from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says.
"It’s a catastrophic situation expected in Jamaica," the WMO's tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan told reporters. "For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure."
Three killed while preparing for the storm, official says
12:48 , Megan HoweJamaica’s minister of health said yesterday that three people had died in Jamaica while preparing for the approaching storm.
"Over the past few days, in preparation for the storm we have had three deaths - three deaths linked to cutting down of trees, and in one instance electrocution because of, or due to, the cutting down of a tree," Chris Tufton said.
A health worker was killed when a tree fell on him in St Elizabeth, according to local media reports.
Nearly 15 injuries have been related to storm preparations.
Incredible footage shows plane travelling through the eye of the hurricane
11:44 , Megan HoweThe video was published by Andy Hazelton, an Associate Scientist at the University of Miami.
Gotta get to bed since we'll be up at 3 am to do another mission into #Melissa right before landfall in Jamaica tomorrow. Here's a video I took today going through the NE eyewall into the eye. I had to tilt the phone up to get a view of the eye because it was so cylindrical (not… pic.twitter.com/ViOxkAoEVS
— Andy Hazelton (@AndyHazelton) October 27, 2025
'We are closely tracking Hurricane Melissa', foreign office says
11:19 , Megan HoweAn FCDO spokesperson said: “We are closely tracking Hurricane Melissa and have updated our travel advice for countries and territories across the region.
“In Jamaica, we are urging British nationals there to follow the guidance of the local authorities – especially in the event of any evacuation orders.
“Airports are currently closed and British tourists on package holidays should contact their travel provider for advice.
“Anyone worried about adequate shelter can find their nearest shelter through the Jamaican government’s list of available hurricane shelters, which we have put on our travel advice.
“We stand ready to support our partners and British nationals in the region. British nationals requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.”
What advice has been given to Brits in Jamaica?
10:12 , Megan HoweThe Foreign Office has issued the following advice to any British nationals in Jamaica.
Tourists on package holidays should contact their travel provider for advice.
Anyone worried about shelter should find their nearest hurricane shelter via the Jamaican government’s list of available shelters.
The list can be found at odpem.org. jm/shelters
To contact the Foreign Office call.
• +1 (876) 936 0700 (option 2)
• +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Has warming across the world influenced Hurricane Melissa?
09:20 , Megan HoweThe short answer is, yes, Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman says.
“There is evidence to suggest that global warming and in particular warmer sea surface temperatures do affect the number, but in particular the intensity or the risk of more tropical cyclones of a higher intensity in different parts of the world,” he said.
“There's certainly a connection between the risk of more stronger tropical systems and warmer sea surface temperatures in particular.”
Could Hurricane Melissa impact the UK and other countries?
09:06 , Megan HoweDeputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Rudman from the Met Office spoke to The Standard about Hurricane Melissa.
He said there are signs to suggest the storm with head into mid-latitude weather systems which could affect the UK in about a week or two’s time.
“But it's not this actual hurricane that will affect the UK, it's the effects from it,” he said.
“So it might make low pressure systems more likely, it might make calmer weather more likely, and those effects on our weather in north-west Europe are a little bit less clear at this time.”
“As the days and certainly the next week goes on, we'll have a bit of a clearer indication about what impacts that might have on the UK weather as a whole.”
Mr Rudman was speaking to The Standard’s Tech and Science Daily podcast.
Listen in here: https://podfollow.com/tech-science-daily/episode/ea6da06bc4b8956eb4167fe06a146be0b1e9cd1e/view
Video shows lightning flashes in the eye of the storm
08:41 , Megan HoweFootage posted on X shows powerful lightning flashes within the eye wall of Hurricane Melissa.
'The birds have all gone' says British mum in Jamaica
08:20 , Megan HoweA British mum who is stuck in Jamaica has spoken to BBC Radio 4 this morning after her family arrived in the country on Thursday evening, just as preparations were beginning.
She is staying with her husband and three teenage sons in Lucea in a hotel near to Montego Bay.
Their room is around 10metres from the sea. The hotel is moving them to a room that is more sheltered.
"There’s this weird roar that sounds like it’s coming from the sea. It’s really odd, like something’s coming,” she said.
“The birds have all gone so it’s all gone really quiet,” she adds. "It's like a ghost town."
Why is Hurricane Melissa so dangerous?
08:08 , Megan HoweThere are several reasons why Hurricane Melissa is such a powerful and deadly hurricane.
Warmer waters
Hurricanes rely on warmer waters to fuel them. The waters in the western Caribbean are around 30C, which is above average for this time of year, pumping extra energy into the storm.
Lack of wind shear
When wind shear is greater, storms tend to get pulled apart, but the lack of wind shear here is allowing the hurricane to build in strength. The hurricane has managed to grow stronger over several days.
Slow moving
Hurricane Melissa is slow moving, less than 4mph. This means it is lingering over particular areas for a longer period of time, bringing with it torrential downpours and destructive winds.
Have there been any fatalities?
07:59 , Megan HoweThree people have died in Jamaica as the country is bracing itself for the world’s strongest storm of the year and possibly the strongest on record on the island.
Hurricane Melissa, which is a category five storm, has been blamed for four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as the lives lost in Jamaica.
Experts warn that the slow prolonged torrential rain increases risk of deadly flooding and landslides.
Images show winds already hitting coastline as Jamaica prepares for hurricane arrival
07:17 , Matt WattsImages have shown winds and rain have already begun to batter the coast of Jamaica as people take shelter ahead of the storm.
People have been carrying drinking water in plastic drums and containers to shelters ahead of the arrival of the hurricane.
While other images show people nervously waiting inside shelters ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Jamaican PM: 'I have been on my knees in prayer'
07:12 , Matt WattsJamaica's prime minister has spoken at a news conference ahead of Hurricane Melissa making landfall.
"I have been on my knees in prayer," Andrew Holness told the media about his preparations , adding that he has been in contact with world leaders.
"It would appear the entire world is praying for Jamaica," he said.
In a stark warning to Jamaican residents, Holness said there was "no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5".
Storm Melissa barrels towards Jamaica
07:08 , Matt WattsGood morning and welcome to our coverage of storm Melissa.
The world's most powerful storm this year is drawing closer to Jamaica as it barrels northeast through the Caribbean Sea.
Forecasters believe it could become the strongest hurricane ever to hit Jamaica, with winds of 175mph ( 290km/h) and as much as 101cm (40 inches) of rain
The storm was expected to make landfall early on Tuesday and slice diagonally across the island, entering near St Elizabeth parish in the south and exiting around St Ann parish in the north, forecasters said.
Hours before the storm, the government said it had done all it could to prepare as it warned of catastrophic damage.
Prime minister Andrew Holness said: "There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a category five.
"The question now is the speed of recovery. That's the challenge.”
