Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in its latest bulletin at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0900 UTC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the center of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa was located at 17.2 degrees North latitude and 77.8 degrees West longitude with maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h with higher gusts (minimum central pressure 901 millibar). Melissa is located 640km southwest of Port-au-Prince.

Melissa is moving slowly westward at nearly 5 mph (7 km/h). A turn toward the Northeast with an increase in movement speed is expected later today, followed by a faster movement toward the Northeast Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, Melissa's core is expected to move over Jamaica today, cross southeast Cuba Wednesday morning, and cross the southeast or central Bahamas later Wednesday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected late Tuesday and Wednesday on the west coast of Haiti. Note that tropical storm force winds extend up to 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Melissa. Catastrophic and potentially fatal flash floods and landslides are expected in southwest Haiti. Significant damage to infrastructure and isolation of communities is likely.

The Haitian Hydro Meteorological Unit (UHM) in conjunction with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management maintains the departments of South, Grande Anse and Nippes on red alert. The departments of South-East, West, Artibonite and North West are on orange alert.

Melissa is expected to bring additional precipitation of 8 to 16 inches (20 cm to 41 cm) for southern Hispaniola through Wednesday, with total local maximums of 40 inches (1m) possible.

Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of the coasts of Hispaniola, Jamaica, Eastern Cuba and the Cayman Islands over the next few days. These swells are likely to cause potentially fatal breaking conditions and rip currents. Please check your local weather office's bulletins.

The Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) prohibits all cabotage activity on the southern coastal zone of Haiti until further notice due to the passage near Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

Civil Protection Advice :

The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection calls on the entire population of the departments concerned to remain vigilant during this period, as there could be flash floods and floods. The Directorate asks the population not to cross any watercourse under any circumstances, not to tie your animals where the water could carry them, not to stand on hills and bridges to observe the flowing water, not to protect yourself from the rain under the trees, do not stay barefoot in the rain and do not touch any object that conducts electricity. Store your important papers in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people needing help so they can move if necessary. Stay calm and listen to civil protection messages from reliable sources.

Haitian Diaspora :

Jamaica :

Hurricane Warning: The Cuban Provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo and Holguin

Heavy rains and strong winds rock Jamaica on Monday as Hurricane Melissa approaches, which could be the strongest to make landfall in this country where it threatens to cause catastrophic floods and landslides. With winds of up to 280 km/h which can reach 340 to 350 km/h, Hurricane Melissa is in category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale and is expected to hit the island head-on this Tuesday, October 28. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, warned of the risks of particularly significant damage for the West of the country "I don't think that a single infrastructure in this region can withstand a Category 5 hurricane, so there could be significant destruction.” Torrential rains could dump up to 1m of water per square meter, leading to major flooding on the island.

A life-threatening storm surge is likely along the south coast of Jamaica today. Maximum storm surge heights could reach 9 feet to 13 feet (2.74 m to 3.96 m) above sea level, near and east of where the center of Melissa will make landfall. This storm surge will be accompanied by strong destructive waves.

Dominican Republic :

Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are expected in the southern Dominican Republic through midweek. Additional precipitation of 6 inches to 12 inches (15cm to 30 cm) for southern Hispaniola through Wednesday, with local maximum totals reaching 40 inches (1m). Catastrophic flash floods and numerous landslides are likely. Rains will be more frequent in Pedernales, Barahona, Azua, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, San Cristóbal, Grand Santo Domingo, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Duarte, Samaná, María Trinidad Sánchez, La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís.

Eastern Cuba :

Tropical Storm Warning Cuban Province of Las Tunas

Storm rainfall totals of 10 in. to 20 in. (25 cm to 51 cm), with local amounts of up to 25 in. (63 cm), are expected through Wednesday, accompanied by flash flooding and numerous potentially fatal landslides. Storm surge and strong winds are expected Tuesday and Tuesday evening. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in eastern Cuba on Tuesday, with hurricane conditions expected in the hurricane warning zone from tonight through Wednesday morning.

There is a potential for significant storm surge along the southeastern coast of Cuba late Tuesday or Wednesday. Maximum storm surge heights could reach 7 ft to 11 ft (2.13 m to 3.35 m) above normal tide levels, near and east of where the center of Melissa will make landfall.

Southeast and central Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands:

Hurricane warning for the Southeast and central Bahamas.

Hurricane Watch for Turks and Caicos Islands.

Rain is expected to develop later Tuesday and continue into Wednesday. Rainfall totals of 5 in. to 10 in. (13 cm to 25 cm) are expected to cause flash flooding. Hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge and heavy rain are expected Wednesday in parts of the Southeast and central Bahamas. Tropical storm conditions, heavy rain and significant storm surge are expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.

A storm surge of 4 ft to 6 ft (1.22 m to 1.83 m) is possible in the Southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46077-haiti-flash-hurricane-melissa-becomes-cat-5-haiti-on-maximum-alert.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46069-haiti-flash-melissa-has-become-a-cat-4-hurricane.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46067-haiti-hurricane-melissa-2-departments-on-red-alert.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46053-haiti-flash-melissa-promises-to-be-devastating-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46046-haiti-flash-melissa-risks-becoming-a-hurricane-5-departments-on-orange-alert.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46039-haiti-flash-storm-melissa-threatens-haiti-5-departments-on-yellow-alert.html

SL/ HaitiLibre