Hurricane Melissa latest updates: three dead in Jamaica as most powerful storm of the year set to make landfall

<p>Jamaican officials tell public to shelter; three dead in Jamaica and four dead in Haiti and Dominican Republic</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/27/jamaicans-take-shelter-as-hurricane-melissa-bears-down-as-category-5-storm">Jamaicans take shelter as Melissa bears down</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/oct/27/tell-us-if-youve-been-affected-by-hurricane-melissa">Tell us if you’ve been affected</a></p></li></ul><p>Hurricane Melissa is predicted to be the most powerful hurricane to hit Jamaica on record and is reported to be the strongest storm anywhere on Earth so far this year when measuring wind speeds and central pressure.</p><p>Its maximum sustained winds are 175 mph (282km/h), <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/">according to the National Hurricane Center</a>, as of 2pm ET.</p><p><em>We urge the public to exercise extreme caution: activities such as climbing roofs, securing sandbags, or cutting trees may seem manageable, but even minor mistakes during hurricane conditions can result in serious injury or death.</em></p><p><em>Driving through flooded roads or areas with debris is also extremely hazardous. Health centres remain closed, but hospitals are open and attending to storm-related injuries. Please be wise, stay safe, and protect yourself and your family during this storm.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/oct/28/hurricane-melissa-live-updates-category-5-storm-jamaica-landfall-latest-news">Continue reading...</a>