Hurricane Melissa, still a Category 5, crosses western Jamaica after landfall

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 185 mph—tying it for the strongest recorded Atlantic landfall
• The storm’s central pressure dropped to 892 millibars, making it the third most intense Atlantic hurricane ever by this metric
• Authorities are reporting widespread destruction, disrupted infrastructure, and power outages as the storm continues its path across the island

🔭 The context: Melissa rapidly intensified over abnormally warm Caribbean waters, a phenomenon increasingly observed in recent hurricane seasons
• The storm has already caused fatalities and displacement in Haiti, where 3,600+ people are now in shelters
• With over 50,000 Jamaicans estimated to be in the storm’s direct path, emergency shelters and international aid agencies have been mobilizing amid concerns over inadequate pre-evacuation
• The storm is expected to maintain major hurricane strength as it moves toward southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hurricane Melissa underscores the growing severity of climate-fueled weather extremes, particularly for vulnerable island nations
• Rising sea surface temperatures—linked to human-driven climate change—contribute to more frequent rapid intensification and stronger storms
• Jamaica’s tourism economy, agriculture, and coastal infrastructure face existential threats from both the immediate impact and longer-term storm-driven disruption
• This event is a reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience, early warning systems, and international adaptation finance for at-risk nations

⏭️ What's next: Melissa is forecast to strike southeastern Cuba late Tuesday and reach the Bahamas by Wednesday afternoon, possibly making a third landfall
• Hurricane and storm surge warnings are active in both countries, with projected rainfall of up to 25 inches and surges as high as 13 feet
• Relief operations are underway, but damage to roads and logistics networks may hamper access
• The storm's remnants may also fuel adverse weather along the U.S. East Coast later in the week
• Attention is now turning to post-disaster reconstruction and the mobilization of humanitarian assistance across the region

💬 One quote: “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “There’s going to be damage if there is a Category 5”

📈 One stat: Melissa’s sustained winds of 185 mph and central pressure of 892 millibars place it among the top three strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded

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