Article last updated: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 5 p.m. ET

The Caribbean storm — among the most powerful in history, with 185 mph winds — is expected to bring flash-flooding and landslides as it slowly moves across the island and heads north toward Cuba.

CNN, TVJ, JAMAICAN NATIONAL WORKS AGENCY VIA X, MATEO AVALLE PIBER, HOVEN CAMPBELL By CNN Meteorologists Taylor Ward, Briana Waxman, Mary Gilbert, Elise

Texas newlyweds Kasydee and Hunter Bishop are trapped near Montego Bay, Jamaica, as Hurricane Melissa approaches as a Category 5 storm with 175 mph winds.

Article last updated: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, 2 p.m. ET

The most powerful storm to hit the region since 1988 could inundate some areas of eastern Jamaica with up to 40 inches of rain. The arrival of its core has been delayed by stalling.

Just days ago, Hannah Grubbs — who ignored warnings of the Category 5 hurricane and flew to Jamaica regardless — shared a video of herself ordering drinks at a bar and wrote, “pretending there’s not a category 5 hurricane hitting.

The capitals and exclamation points are warranted. Hurricane Melissa is an extraordinary storm, even among the many massive, fast-growing, devastating cyclones that have been erupting in the Atlantic Ocean in recent years.