History of Hurricane Melissa in Timeline

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane in the 2025 Atlantic season, was the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide that year. It became the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, tying with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, and the most intense at landfall in the Atlantic basin. The storm caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica, becoming the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island. Melissa also generated a record-breaking wind gust of 252 mph. Climate scientists linked the hurricane's intensity to human-driven climate change and raised ocean temperatures.

1935: Tied for Third-Most Intense Atlantic Hurricane

In 1935, Hurricane Melissa was tied with the Labor Day hurricane as the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.

1988: Surpassing Hurricane Gilbert

In 1988, Hurricane Melissa surpassed Hurricane Gilbert as the strongest recorded hurricane to hit Jamaica.

2010: Highest Wind Gust Recorded

In 2010, before Hurricane Melissa, Typhoon Megi held the record for the highest wind gust recorded by dropsonde data.

December 2024: Reference point for air traffic comparison

December 2024 was used as a comparison point to highlight the decrease in air traffic to Sangster International Airport due to the impacts of Hurricane Melissa in December 2025.

November 2025: Reference point for air traffic comparison

November 2025 was used as a comparison point to highlight the decrease in air traffic to Sangster International Airport due to the impacts of Hurricane Melissa in December 2025.

December 2025: Decline in Air Traffic and Leptospirosis Outbreak

In December 2025, there was a significant decline in air traffic, particularly at Sangster International Airport, compared to December 2024. Additionally, a leptospirosis outbreak occurred as a result of Hurricane Melissa.

2025: Hurricane Melissa in 2025

In 2025, Hurricane Melissa was the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide. It was also the thirteenth named storm, fifth hurricane, fourth major hurricane, and third Category 5 hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

2025: Tourism Increase in the Dominican Republic

In 2025, the Dominican Republic experienced a surge in tourism due to other islands being damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

2025: Minister Samuda's Statement at United Nations Climate Change Conference

In mid-November of 2025, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Jamaica's economic growth minister, Matthew Samuda, stated that "Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours." He identified the hurricane as evidence of "the new phase of climate change."

January 1, 2026: Continued Lack of Access to Essential Services

As of January 1, 2026, many areas in Jamaica remained without access to electricity, road access, and clean water following Hurricane Melissa. Jamaica's National Water Committee announced they would write off unpaid water bills from customers who had received no water since the hurricane.