Hurricane Melissa churns across Cuba
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Hours after the storm passed Jamaica, causing a massive power outage, authorities urged residents to continue sheltering.
Article last updated: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 5 p.m. ET
Most of Jamaica remains without power, as our correspondent reports floods, mudslides and "palm trees tossed like toothpicks".
Native of Cuba in Port St. Lucie last spoke to sister there Oct. 28 before Hurricane Melissa struck the island.
The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the "Hurricane Hunters," encountered heavier than normal turbulence while flying into the eye of Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday morning and were forced to turn back.
Jamaica reels from strongest hurricane in its history as Cuba hit by 'life-threatening' storm surges
Cuba: Hurricane-force winds are occurring within the warning area, and the eastern part of the country is likely to face life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides. It is also warning of a dangerous storm surge.
Sagua de Tánamo, a town in Holguín province, awoke to flooding of the Sagua River. In Contramaestre, a town in Santiago de Cuba province, Melissa’s strong winds uprooted trees and tore off sections of sidewalk.