Hurricanes

[hobie]

On 5/3/2022 at 5:49 PM, phkrause said:

Hurricane Season 2022

Interesting article from the Daytona News-Journal

200-mph wind simulation?

'Cat 6' hurricane tool under design at FIU

Rick Neale

Florida Today USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA

The Category 6 hurricane's howling winds accelerate to a startling 200 mph in Miami, mercilessly pummeling a twostory wood-frame house until the roof tears off and the rattling windows explode.

And a towering 20-foot storm surge spawns battering waves, swamping the structure and shoving it off its foundation like a doomed dollhouse.

Sounds like a scene from a sci-fi disaster movie.

See HURRICANE, Page 7A

Continued from Page 1A

But with real-world Atlantic hurricanes pushing the limits of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, Florida International University researchers envision a future mega-windwater simulator that tests how building components would react under Cat 6 conditions.

FIU's Extreme Events Institute already operates the 157-mph Wall of Wind hurricane simulator, where experimental results have been applied to the Florida Building Code. Now, the school is spearheading a $12.8 million National Science Foundation partnership to design a larger national testing facility capable of generating 200 mph winds.

In destructive tandem, this Cat 6 project will incorporate a water basin that can churn up to 20 feet of storm surge.

“We used the 200 mph mark because there are more and more events lately that they call stronger-than-Cat 5,” said Ioannis Zisis, co-director of FIU's Laboratory for Wind Engineering Research.

“This is a very ambitious project in terms of combining different hazards. So we want to do the wind, but we want to add also the storm surge, the water component,” Zisis said.

“So it's a very complex project, a very complex facility — that is going to be also very expensive,” he said.

FIU's academic partners on the project: University of Florida, Oregon State University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, Colorado State University and Wayne State University. Aerolab, a Maryland wind-tunnel company, is the principal industry partner.

Design work began in January on the future simulator, which is technically named NICHE (National Full-Scale Testing Infrastructure for Community Hardening in Extreme Wind, Surge, and Wave Events).

Zisis said researchers will spend the next four years designing the enormous facility — and it is “critical” that they make a series of key decisions within the first six months. Further details on construction, such as funding sources, remain unknown.

Should we create a Category 6?

Richard Olson is director of FIU's Extreme Events Institute. In a 2019 FLORIDA TODAY guest column, he lobbied for creation of a new Category 6 hurricane — with fearsome sustained wind speeds of 180 mph or higher — atop the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Olson pointed out historical storms such as the 1935 Florida Keys “Great Labor Day Hurricane” (sustained winds of 185 mph), Hurricane Allen in 1980 (190 mph), Hurricane Wilma in 2005 (185 mph), Hurricane Irma in 2017 (180 mph) and Hurricane Dorian in 2018 (185 mph).

“Opening a discussion of at least a Category 6 for Atlantic Basin storms has some urgency. Climate-change scientists are arguing for increasing numbers of more intense storms in coming decades,” Olson said in his 2019 column.

“That is, storms with sustained wind speeds of 180 mph should no longer be viewed as extremely rare,” Olson said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell touted the FIU project during an April 13 National Hurricane Center keynote speech in Orlando.

“What if we could simulate a Category 6 hurricane?” Criswell asked the audience.

“This kind of cutting-edge research, this kind of testing capability, is just what we need to meet the nation's evolving risks. To help us adapt to future conditions. And to help us protect life and property,” she said.

Criswell said FEMA projects U.S. communities that adopt modern building codes will avoid paying $132 billion in storm damages by the year 2040 — but 65% of counties, cities, and towns have not adopted modern building codes.

FIU's 157-mph Wall of Wind

FIU's Wall of Wind is a warehouselike facility that can create Category 5 hurricane conditions with winds up to 157 mph. Researchers blast sensorequipped test structures — such as small simulated houses, roofing materials, windows, traffic signals, and solar panels — and create three-dimensional computer models measuring wind forces.

The 8,400-horsepower Wall of Wind is powered by a dozen yellow circular fans, each measuring 6 feet across and weighing 15,000 pounds.

Water outlets also mimic cascading rainfall amounts of up to 8 to 9 inches per hour.

Last year, the NSF awarded FIU a $5.62 million grant to continue Wall of Wind scientific research through September 2025. However, unlike the Wall of Wind, Zisis said the future Cat 6 hurricane simulator will be big enough to accommodate full-sized homes.

“We envision putting in front of the fans a two-story building, on a turntable,” Zisis said.

“Right now, we can test a smaller structure. We can test building components, solar panels, things like that. But the actual structure that we can accommodate in front of the Wall of Wind is like a 10-by-10-by-10 cube,” he said.

“The past 30, 40 years, most of the things that we have in the building code and the wind tunnels came from smallscale studies. And they're very, very useful. Very scientific, and they're very important. But when we test at fullscale, we learn even more,” he said.

“Right now, we're more into component testing in the Wall of Wind because we're restricted by the size. We can't see how the wind load is transferred from the exterior of the building down to the foundation. That is something that we envision doing with a new facility,” he said.

So how big would FIU's Cat 6 simulator have to be? Miami New Times reported it could be comparable in size to a small football stadium, while the Washington Post reported the wave basin may measure 200 feet long.

Nobody knows at this early stage, Zisis said. During the $12.8 million design effort, Zsis said researchers will construct a smaller-scale prototype simulator at FIU to verify and validate their assumptions.

“The small-scale replica of this huge facility is going to be like a similar size to the Wall of Wind, more or less,” he said.

FEMA: Expect extreme climate events

During her National Hurricane Conference speech, Criswell said the United Nations Climate Science Panel fears that unless global greenhouse gas emissions peak by 2025 and are cut 43% by 2030, the world will likely experience extreme climate events.

“Now, does this information cause us to sink back in our seats? Perhaps. But I encourage all of us in this room to embrace this information and not discount it as alarmist,” Criswell told the audience.

“We have the world's top climate scientists working hand-in-hand, nationto- nation, to arm us with the best information and the best data available to help us save lives and protect property. So we need to leverage this data and act,” she said.

“Let's use it to inspire a collective shift to a future-based mindset across all levels of government and all of our communities nationwide. Let's use it to anticipate, plan for, and mitigate risks that are 10, 20, 30 years in the future,” she said.

Jim Bell is director of operations with the National Storm Shelter Association. A former Fort Lauderdale resident, he was president of the Gold Coast Chapter of the Door and Hardware Institute when he served on a committee that helped strengthen the Florida Building Code after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992.

“The part that's very intriguing is the storm surge. Because that's even more severe than the winds,” Bell said of FIU's future Cat 6 simulator.

“When we're talking the wind speeds that they're looking at, you're going to have to do more with windows and doors and such. Because once the wind gets inside the building, the building pressurizes — and it's popping the roof off or popping windows out,” Bell said.

“As the pressure builds up, it's looking for another place to push out. That's what creates the damage, the exploding effect,” he said.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Structural-damage details of the Saffir- Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, per the National Hurricane Center: Category 1: 74 to 95 mph. “Well- constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.”

Category 2: 96 to 110 mph. “Wellconstructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.”

Category 3: 111 to 129 mph. “Wellbuilt framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.”

Category 4: 130 to 156 mph. “Wellbuilt framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

Category 5: 157 mph or higher. “A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

Notice the hurricanes are surpassing their estimates as soon as they get in the warm waters of the Carribean or the Gulf, so anything coming near us will easily turn into a Cat 5 or more monster storm, and we know it... Here is a typical one..

"Hurricane Erin was a long-lived and very powerful Cape Verde hurricane that crossed the North Atlantic Ocean in August 2025. The fifth named storm, first hurricane and first major hurricane[a] of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Erin developed from a tropical wave on August 11, while passing westward over Cape Verde. Afterwards, it stayed at tropical storm status due to marginally favorable conditions as it crossed the central Atlantic the next few days. As it neared the Lesser Antilles, it strengthened into a hurricane on August 15. Highly favorable conditions enabled Erin to undergo explosive intensification on August 16, reaching its peak at Category 5 intensity with one-minute maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 915 mb (27.0 inHg). "Hurricane Erin (2025) - Wikipedia

 

[phkrause]

Gabrielle becomes at Category 4 hurricane and forecasters advise Azores to take notice

MIAMI (AP) — People in the Azores archipelago were advised Monday to monitor the progress of Hurricane Gabrielle which is now a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, the National Hurricane Center said.

https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-gabrielle-tropical-weather-atlantic-bermuda-ba4f3724d48657ba40160aae454028a2?

NHC: 1 of 2 tropical waves could threaten Bahamas as Hurricane Gabrielle churns in Atlantic

With the tropics stirring up a busy Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said one of two developing Atlantic systems could become a tropical depression near the Bahamas this week.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/23/hurricane-center-forecasts-new-tropical-wave-to-emerge-in-atlantic/?

[phkrause]

Tropical depression likely to form over Bahamas, could kick up Florida hazards

The National Hurricane Center on Thursday forecast a tropical wave dumping rain on the Caribbean will likely become the season’s next tropical depression or storm as it moves over the Bahamas and causes hazardous beach conditions off Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/25/hurricane-center-forecasts-new-tropical-wave-to-emerge-in-atlantic/

Tropical depression likely to form over Bahamas, could kick up Florida hazards

The National Hurricane Center on Thursday forecast a tropical wave dumping rain on the Caribbean will likely become the season’s next tropical depression or storm as it moves over the Bahamas and causes hazardous beach conditions off Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/25/hurricane-center-forecasts-new-tropical-wave-to-emerge-in-atlantic/?

[phkrause]

Former Hurricane Gabrielle threatens the Azores with heavy rain and storm surge

MIAMI (AP) — The former Hurricane Gabrielle was expected to bring hurricane conditions including heavy rain, a storm surge and large, destructive waves to the Azores islands starting Thursday, despite being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, forecasters said.

https://apnews.com/article/gabrielle-humberto-narda-hurricane-tropical-azores-portugal-6b78b12a4dc955053118e4bb62989dea?

Potential tropical cyclone develops between Cuba, Bahamas and expected to become Imelda; Humberto now major hurricane

A slow Atlantic storm season is finally growing active, with two hurricanes in the last week and a third system that by Friday evening developed into Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, increasing its chances of impacting the U.S. coast.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/26/hurricane-center-forecasts-new-tropical-wave-to-emerge-in-atlantic/?

[phkrause]

On North Carolina’s rivers and streams, the cleanup of Helene’s fury seems never-ending It’s been only a year since Hurricane Helene hammered the southeast U.S. from Florida to the Carolinas. The worst wreckage has been cleared away, but cleanup crews are still at work plucking smaller debris from waterways throughout the region. Some also fear that the recovery efforts compounded Helene’s impact on the ecosystem. Read more.

Why this matters: Contractors hired to remove vehicles, shipping containers, shattered houses and other large debris from waterways sometimes damaged sensitive habitat. Conservationists found instances of contractors cutting down healthy trees and removing live root balls, said Jon Stamper, river cleanup coordinator for MountainTrue, the North Carolina-based nonprofit conducting the French Broad work.   The Army Corps of Engineers said in a statement that debris removal missions “are often challenging” and that it trains its contractors to minimize disturbances to waterways and to prevent harm to wildlife. North Carolina Emergency Management said debris removal after Helene took into account safety and the environment.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ WATCH: A year after Helene, crews still pull tons of debris from North Carolina waterways   Hurricane Helene displaced thousands of students. Some struggled to get back on track with school   Alabama study reveals hurricane resilience programs are paying off for homeowners and insurers

[phkrause]

NOAA: Tropical Depression 9 Projected Path, Spaghetti Models, Tropical Storm Watch Issued For Florida East Coast

MIAMI, Florida – NOAA‘s National Hurricane Center issued a Public Advisory at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, September 28, 2025, for Tropical Depression Nine, which strengthened from Invest 94L and Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine earlier this weekend while moving northward near the central Bahamas.

https://floridaword.com/2025/09/noaa-tropical-depression-nine-projected-path-spaghetti-models-tropical-storm-watch-issued-for-florida-east-coast/

Florida coast to feel effects from Tropical Storm Imelda

Tropical Storm Imelda formed on Sunday afternoon and will bring deteriorating conditions along Florida’s coast as the system moves over the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/28/tropical-storm-imelda-florida-threat/

[phkrause]

Florida coast feeling effects from growing Tropical Storm Imelda

Tropical Storm Imelda grew stronger as it slogged through the Bahamas on Monday but its effects on Florida were forecast to be diminished, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/29/tropical-storm-imelda-florida-threat/

Tropical Storm Imelda forms near Bahamas and is expected to become a hurricane in coming days

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Imelda formed Sunday and is expected to become a hurricane on a forecast track curving away from the U.S. East Coast early this week. The storm dumped rain and churned up seas near the Bahamas and Cuba and even briefly prompted a tropical storm watch on a stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coast.

https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-humberto-imelda-narda-7dfd2b28c7ca2a5496a74bddda058eb1?

Florida coast feeling effects from strengthening Tropical Storm Imelda

Tropical Storm Imelda grew stronger as it slogged through the Bahamas on Monday projected to become the season’s next hurricane, but its effects on Florida were diminished, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/29/tropical-storm-imelda-florida-threat/

[phkrause]

Newly formed Hurricane Imelda leaves Bahamas, Florida behind, to take aim at Bermuda

Hurricane Imelda formed on Tuesday as it moved away from Florida and the Bahamas with a path that could make a direct hit on Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/30/tropical-storm-imelda-florida-threat/?

[phkrause]

Hurricane Imelda bears down on Bermuda, but Florida coastal dangers remain

Hurricane Imelda on Wednesday took aim at Bermuda having intensified into a Category 2 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center, while Florida’s coastal conditions remained hazardous.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/01/hurricane-imelda-targets-bermuda-lingering-florida-effects/?

No hurricane landfalls so far this year. Here’s why, and what to expect next.

By the end of September, the U.S. usually has at least one hurricane landfall, if not several.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/01/no-hurricane-landfalls-so-far-this-year-heres-why-and-what-to-expect-next/?

ps:All I can say is, I pray that you didn't jinks it!!!!!

[phkrause]

HURRICANE CENTER: There Is A New System Forming Southeast Of Florida Wednesday Night

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — As Humberto and Imelda are now non-issues for the United States, a new system is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center. The Wednesday evening update — obtained by BocaNewsNow.com before its 8 p.m. posting — adds the area of disturbance to the tracking map.

https://bocanewsnow.com/2025/10/01/hurricane-center-there-is-a-new-system-forming-southeast-of-florida-wednesday-night/

Florida under new tropical threat as NHC tracks 2 systems

The National Hurricane Center on Thursday began tracking a new potential tropical system targeting Florida, one of two systems with the potential to form into the season’s next tropical depression or storm.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/02/florida-under-new-tropical-threat-while-nhc-tracks-2-systems-plus-hurricane-imelda/?

[phkrause]

Hurricane center: Wet Florida weekend from 1 system while odds up for Atlantic tropical wave

The National Hurricane Center on Friday forecast a wet weekend as one system approached Florida while increasing the odds a second system in the Atlantic could form into the season’s next tropical depression or storm.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/03/florida-under-new-tropical-threat-while-nhc-tracks-2-systems-plus-hurricane-imelda/?

[phkrause]

Hurricane center ups odds Atlantic tropical depression will form

The National Hurricane Center on Sunday increased the odds that a system in the Atlantic will develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm and threaten the Caribbean.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/05/florida-under-new-tropical-threat-while-nhc-tracks-2-systems-plus-hurricane-imelda/

[phkrause]

Hurricane center says tropical depression likely to form this week

The National Hurricane Center on Monday continued to give high chances that a system in the Atlantic will develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm and threaten the Caribbean.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/06/florida-under-new-tropical-threat-while-nhc-tracks-2-systems-plus-hurricane-imelda/?

[phkrause]

Hurricane season

A new tropical storm could form in the Atlantic this week, potentially adding another late burst of activity to the 2025 hurricane season. The storm, which would be named Jerry, is likely to track near the northeast Caribbean islands in the coming days. It's not clear yet how strong it will be at that time, but it’s unlikely this system will be a threat to the US mainland because a cold front will sweep off the East Coast and help deflect it out to sea. Meteorologists say this is a slightly unusual sight for this time of year. Storms that track across the Atlantic between Africa and the Caribbean, and help to form about 85% of all intense hurricanes, usually begin to die down by now.

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Jerry forms, forecast to grow into hurricane approaching Caribbean

The National Hurricane Center on Tuesday said Tropical Storm Jerry had formed in the Atlantic with a forecast it will intensify into a hurricane that could threaten the Caribbean.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/07/tropical-storm-jerry-forms/

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Jerry grows, forecast to sideswipe Caribbean

The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday forecast Tropical Storm Jerry to grow into a hurricane, but only after it swings past the Caribbean turning north into the Atlantic and avoiding a landfall.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/08/tropical-storm-jerry-forms/?

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Jerry makes approach to Caribbean islands

The National Hurricane Center on Thursday said Tropical Storm Jerry was approaching the Caribbean’s northern Leeward Islands, but was expected to shift away into the open Atlantic.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/09/tropical-storm-jerry-forms/?

[phkrause]

Hurricane center tracks 2 systems with chance to develop

The National Hurricane Center on Friday continued to track a pair of systems with a chance to develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/17/hurricane-center-watching-new-tropical-wave-headed-toward-caribbean/

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Melissa Tracker: Storm’s Path Headed Toward FL Homeowners

Tropical Storm Melissa is gaining strength, threatening to evolve into a slow-moving hurricane capable of unleashing torrential rain and destructive winds across the Caribbean and potentially the U.S.

https://local.newsbreak.com/florida-state/4304720931478-tropical-storm-melissa-tracker-storms-path-headed-toward-fl-homeowners?

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Melissa threatens Caribbean islands, forecast to become major hurricane

Tropical Storm Melissa has slowed to a near standstill in the Caribbean but is still forecast to threaten Haiti and Jamaica later this week and intensify into a major hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/22/tropical-storm-melissa-to-form-hurricane-center/

[phkrause]

Tropical Storm Melissa

Tropical Storm Melissa could strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend and potentially slam the northern Caribbean with heavy rain and strong winds. Meteorologists have warned of the potential for significant flooding and dangerous mudslides across parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Haiti, while Jamaica is under a tropical storm watch. It's currently unlikely that Melissa will directly impact the US mainland, although details are still coming into focus. Puerto Rico, however, is much more likely to experience storm effects in the coming days.   Tropical Storm Melissa forecast to be major hurricane; effect on Florida uncertain Tropical Storm Melissa continued its slow push north in the Caribbean Thursday and is expected to grow into a major hurricane as it nears Jamaica. But its long-term path including what effects it might have on Florida remain uncertain, according to the National Hurricane Center. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/23/tropical-storm-melissa-to-form-hurricane-center/

[phkrause]

HURRICANE CENTER: Tropical Storm Melissa To Intensify South Of Florida

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to reach hurricane strength within days, and then potentially turn to the north. Whether it becomes a Florida issue remains to be seen — the long range models used by the National Hurricane Center are diverging. Here is the Friday morning update from the NHC:

https://bocanewsnow.com/2025/10/24/hurricane-center-tropical-storm-melissa-to-intensify-south-of-florida/#google_vignette

‘Slow motion disaster’: Rapid intensification for Melissa forecast to be near Cat 5 hurricane in Caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa could threaten Jamaica, Hispaniola and Cuba with “life-threatening and catastrophic” rainfall as it potentially grows to a near Category 5 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/24/expected-cat-4-hurricane-melissa-to-threaten-jamaica-cuba-but-florida-effects-uncertain/?

[phkrause]

Major Hurricane Melissa unleashing torrents on Caribbean, forecast to become Cat 5

Hurricane Melissa on Sunday intensified into a Category 4 storm dropping torrents of “catastrophic” rain across the Caribbean with the National Hurricane Center now forecasting it to become a Category 5 hurricane before it makes landfall on Jamaica this week.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/26/major-hurricane-melissa-unleashing-torrents-on-caribbean-forecast-to-become-cat-5/

Melissa may reach Category 5, poses great danger to Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti

Melissa is forecast to rapidly strengthen to a major hurricane over the Caribbean and could end up being one of the strongest of the season with lives and property in peril from Jamaica to Cuba and Haiti.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/tropical-storm-melissa-may-reach-category-5-poses-great-danger-to-jamaica-cuba-and-haiti/1828011?

[phkrause]

Category 4 Hurricane Melissa threatens catastrophic flooding in Jamaica and Haiti

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa was sustaining Category 4 strength late Sunday and may get stronger while threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica.

https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-melissa-haiti-jamaica-cuba-8a8e55a2af02c50a0ab148f1b5914df5?

Hurricane Melissa made ‘catastrophic’ Jamaica landfall with Cuba, Bahamas in sights

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms on record with the threat of  “catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and destructive winds,” according to the National Hurricane Center, and as of Tuesday night was moving toward eastern Cuba.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/28/extremely-dangerous-cat-5-hurricane-melissa-nears-jamaica-landfall/?

Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica is preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall on the island nation. Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a rare Category 5 hurricane today ahead of striking Jamaica on Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Those in Jamaica need to "seek shelter now," the NHC said Sunday, warning that heavy rain and damaging winds could trigger "catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides." Beyond the dangerous storm surge, rainfall totals up to 30 inches are expected from Melissa in Jamaica and Hispaniola through Wednesday, with some areas seeing up to 40 inches. Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are also forecast to face severe impacts from the storm.

[phkrause]

Hurricane Melissa made ‘catastrophic’ Jamaica landfall with Cuba, Bahamas in sights

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms on record with the threat of  “catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and destructive winds,” according to the National Hurricane Center, and as of Tuesday night was moving toward eastern Cuba.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/28/extremely-dangerous-cat-5-hurricane-melissa-nears-jamaica-landfall/?

Jamaica Braces for Melissa

Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica today as a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of more than 157 miles per hour. If it does, it will be the strongest system to have hit the island since record-keeping began in 1851.  As of this writing, Melissa is responsible for at least seven deaths—three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic. A life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet is forecast along the island’s southern coast, with the capital of Kingston seeing the highest risk, and near southwestern Black River, the projected landfall site. Warnings are in effect for parts of Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The storm is not expected to directly impact the mainland US as the hurricane veers upward and eastward into the North Atlantic Ocean (see path).  Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. See how this season compares here (w/video). And explore the best resources on hurricanes here.