Hurricane Melissa Is Disrupting Travel Across the Caribbean With Flights Grounded, Cruises Rerouted-What to Know

"The storm, projected by The Weather Channel to be the first Category 5 landfall since 2019 in the Atlantic, struck Jamaica with wind gusts of 160 to 180 mph, according to an AccuWeather alert viewed by Travel + Leisure. The storm was expected to bring with it "catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge, and torrential rainfall." Before Melissa, Jamaica had never taken a direct hit from a Category 4 or a Category 5 hurricane."

""The intense storm surge, extreme rain, and destructive winds can damage critical infrastructure across Jamaica. A catastrophic storm surge up to 18 feet is possible, just east of where the storm makes landfall," Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather's chief meteorologist, said in a statement viewed by T+L. "Especially in the areas where the core of the destructive winds travel, from south to north across the island, some communities may be unrecognizable given the level of catastrophic damage.""

"As of 11:30 a.m. ET, more than 35 percent of customers on the island had already experienced power outages, according to the Jamaica Public Service Company. The catastrophic storm was also affecting travelers to the island with about 25,000 tourists still remaining in the country, The New York Times noted, citing Jamaica's minister of education. She told the paper officials were coordinating with hotels to ensure their safety."

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with wind gusts of 160–180 mph, representing the worst hurricane to ever hit the island and its first direct Category 4/5 landfall. Authorities warned of catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential rainfall, with AccuWeather estimating up to an 18-foot surge near landfall. The storm threatened critical infrastructure and communities across the island. By 11:30 a.m. ET more than 35 percent of customers had lost power. About 25,000 tourists remained on the island as officials coordinated with hotels, and multiple cruise lines rerouted to Central American and Mexican ports. Tourism generated $4.3 billion in 2024.

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