- Melissa strengthens south east of Jamaica
- Winds rise to 65 mph
- Flood threat remains serious
- Jamaica continues storm preparations
Kingston, Jamaica, 24 October 2025
Tropical Storm Melissa strengthened on Friday as the system remained close to Jamaica, with forecasters warning of dangerous rainfall and flooding through the weekend.
Storm gains strength
At 5:00 pm, the National Hurricane Center placed Melissa about 215 miles south east of Kingston, with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. The system was moving slowly north and was expected to turn west over the weekend.
Forecasters said rapid intensification was possible, with Melissa expected to become a hurricane. A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning were already in effect for Jamaica.
Property preparations continue
Homeowners should continue to follow official advisories, clear drains, secure loose outdoor items and check vulnerable roofing and unfinished construction. Forecast tracks can still change, so residents should rely on official updates rather than unofficial storm projections.
Visit our YouTube Community ↗