The Jamaica government issued a mandatory evacuation order for seven vulnerable coastal communities, including Port Royal and Old Harbour Bay, effective immediately on October 27th, 2025, as Hurricane Melissa intensified to near Category 5 strength. The storm, located approximately 115 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, is bearing down on the island with sustained winds approaching 175-180 mph, according to the latest forecast models. Over the past reporting window, from 10:45 PM UTC on October 26th to 1:15 AM UTC on October 27th, Hurricane Melissa showed significant strengthening, with models like HAFS-A and HAFS-B predicting it to be a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of 175 to 180 mph just before potential landfall on Tuesday morning. The National Hurricane Center previously warned of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola as the storm approached Category 5 status. In response to the escalating threat, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Port Royal (Kingston), Portland Cottage (Clarendon), Rocky Point (Clarendon), Old Harbour Bay (St. Catherine), Taylor Land (Bull Bay, St. Andrew), New Haven (St. Andrew), and Riverton City (St. Andrew). These areas are particularly susceptible to the storm's projected impacts, including high storm surge and extreme rainfall. Previous observations by NOAA Hurricane Hunter N42RF between 5:45 PM and 7:15 PM UTC on October 26th indicated significant structural changes in the storm's eye, with wind gusts of 130-145+ knots recorded in the northeast eyewall and a central pressure near 946-947 hPa. Satellite presentations and radar imagery also suggested continued intensification, with outer bands of the hurricane already affecting the island. Forecasts indicate that Hurricane Melissa could bring extreme rainfall totals of 20 to 30 inches to more of Jamaica, with a westward shift in the forecast track. The slow-moving system's eventual path and potential landfall location are being closely tracked, with some models suggesting a landfall on the western side of Jamaica. Photos documenting Hurricane Melissa's impact on the Caribbean have begun to emerge.
