Hurricane Melissa was named October 21, 2025. It made landfall on Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane, which are the strongest hurricanes and this one specifically made it way past the cut to be considered a Category 5. To be considered a Category 5 hurricane, the hurricane’s wind speed needs to be at least 157 mph. Hurricane Melissa has been recorded to get up to around 185 mph.

As it goes on to different countries, it is slow moving, meaning that the impact will only last longer. Its winds have ripped out trees and also caused major destruction and toppled down power lines. A quarter of a million people have reported to have no power before the landfall. It is also said that people on low-lands are in danger and need to go higher up.

In order for everyone to stay safe, there are many recommended precautions to take for safety measures. First, during the hurricane, make sure you are on high grounds, then go to your home and make sure nothing electronic is plugged in. You should stay inside in a safe room possibly with no windows. But, before the hurricane, make sure you put important documents, like birth certificates, in a waterproof bag to keep them safe. Then make sure you have an emergency bag. You can put things like medicines, water, foods like soup, portable device chargers, and a hammer and nails. Make sure you fill your bathtub with water you can use to hydrate and sanitize.

Though this started in Jamaica, this hurricane is still affecting other places. It has recently gone through the Bahamas at a top speed of 185 mph. 1500 had to evacuate, officials say it is one of the largest operations in Bahamian history. It has also gone through Haiti and Cuba, leaving 32 people dead. In Cuba, 735,000 people spent nights in shelters because houses were knocked down and roads were blocked off. Though things are hard for people who have to experience going through this, with the right help things eventually will get better!