Hurricane Melissa has re-emerged over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea and is intensifying as it moves towards southern Cuba, according to a statement from Webber Weather posted on X at approximately 12:15 AM UTC on October 29th, 2025. The storm's eye is rapidly warming and clearing, with a substantial increase in inner core lightning, both indicating renewed strength. In the aftermath of making landfall in Jamaica, over 530,000 residents are without electricity, as reported by Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie. This figure was shared via a Jamaica Observer post on X around 12:07 AM UTC on October 29th, 2025, highlighting the widespread power outages across the island. Previous reports from the reporting window indicated that the Police Station on North Street in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, had become a place of refuge for residents. Social media posts documented this between 11:15 PM UTC and 12:15 AM UTC on October 29th, 2025. Images from Brigade Street in Black River also emerged during this earlier period, showcasing significant destruction left by Hurricane Melissa. Earlier information detailed that Hurricane Melissa had caused extensive damage to Jake's Hotel in Jamaica, with one section appearing almost completely destroyed. Additionally, tugboat operations were impacted by winds exceeding 100 knots, forcing crews to maneuver to reattach a broken line. These events were captured in social media posts reviewed between 10:45 PM and 11:15 PM UTC on October 28th, 2025. Prior to the current reporting window, Hurricane Melissa had inflicted "significant damage" on four major hospitals across Jamaica, as reported by the Jamaica Gleaner. During that same period, internet traffic in the country had dropped sharply by as much as 58%. These developments occurred between 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM UTC on October 28th, 2025. Cloudflare Radar data indicated a 47% decrease in requests and a 58% decrease in bytes compared to the previous week. Further context from earlier reports stated that the administrative block of Black River Hospital had lost its roof, though patients and staff were reported unharmed, as confirmed by Health Minister Christopher Tufton. Approximately 240,000 households were experiencing power outages, and severe flooding was reported in multiple parishes across Jamaica following the Category 5 storm's landfall.
