It also marks the first time in 20 years that three or more Category 5 hurricanes have developed over the Atlantic Basin in one season. The last time was in 2005, when Hurricanes Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma all reached Category 5—breaking a record.

In the videos taken on Monday, Oct. 27, huge clusters of clouds swirl around the hurricane's "eye." At times, the clouds show bright white.

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

Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 status near Jamaica but won't impact the Ohio Valley. Get live updates and tracking information.

The National Hurricane Center's 4 p.m. Tuesday advisory reported that Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is in the Caribbean Sea, 40 miles southeast of Negril Jamaica and 235 miles southwest of Guantanamo Cuba. With maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, the hurricane is moving to the north-northeast at 9 mph.

Evan Thompson with the Meteorological Service of Jamaica warned that the impending landfall of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa would cause catastrophic and “life-threatening” damage. Thompson advised seeking shelter in buildings with as many walls as possible to separate them from the outside.

This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

Hurricane Melissa was at Category 4 early Sunday and forecast to be at Category 5 over the Caribbean in the next 24 hours as it heads for a Jamaica landfall, forecasters said. The storm, expected to cause life-threatening flooding and landslides ...