On Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica. Eventually, it slowed to a category 1 storm and lashed Cuba. Because it had minimalized to a category 1 storm, the damage was less severe and threatening. Nonetheless, officials have reported more than 20 people killed in Haiti, and five bodies are set to be recovered in Jamaica after the disaster. This massive hurricane was formed in the warm waters of the Caribbean and quickly became one of the strongest storms in Jamaican history.
Despite starting off as a small wave off the coast of Africa, it quickly reached dangerous speeds while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. As it met warm waters up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, it rapidly intensified into a Category 5. Terrifying wind speeds of over 190 MPH caused immense damage to its surroundings. Trees were knocked down, and debris flew everywhere. In Jamaica, it hit places like St. Elizabeth Parish, flooding towns and destroying homes. Afterwards, Hurricane Melissa headed to Cuba, where it caused many electricity outages, destroying trees and homes. The US Air Force recorded many videos and footage of this storm roaming throughout the Bahamas, showing how terrifying it was. As it moved across the Atlantic, it gradually decreased due to the colder water temperatures. Even though this natural disaster occurred weeks ago, it is still affecting many people and infrastructure today. Affected areas have reported that they are rebuilding and are working toward an optimistic future.
“Hearing about this storm was honestly shocking. To hear how a storm starting from the coasts of Africa was able to make its way across the Atlantic Ocean was already incredibly scary.” A student says.
Similarly, another student states, “to hear how it increased in size and power with the help of water temperatures is so tragic. I never took into account how water temperatures would be one of the leading factors in a storm’s increasing in size”
Just this year alone, numerous hurricanes have formed and been categorized deemed deadly and destructive. Reflecting upon this sheds light on the question of global warming and how the rise of greenhouse gases and global warming has been a leading factor to the development of these storms and hurricanes. The rising problem with global warming continues to affect our everyday lives and may be a serious problem in the near future.