Jamaica has been struck by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history, making landfall as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph. This unprecedented event has prompted widespread concern and a dire situation across the Caribbean island, affecting an estimated 8,000 British citizens and countless locals. The US National Hurricane Centre in Miami declared Melissa "one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin," warning of an "extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation" as it hit south-western Jamaica near New Hope.

British tourists found themselves locked down in hotels, with flights cancelled and local authorities issuing strict orders to remain indoors. Andrew Tracey, a British holidaymaker at a Negril hotel, reported vibrating walls and hotel staff delivering food packages, while deck chairs were removed and pools drained. Pia Chevallier, staying near Montego Bay, described conditions as "very, very scary," recounting how she and others barricaded doors against the rapidly increasing winds. Many expressed regret about traveling to the island despite initial assurances from airline crews. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urged British nationals to register their presence to receive updates and follow advice from Jamaican authorities.

However, the UK government's response faced criticism from some British nationals. David Rowe from Hertfordshire, who cut his holiday short and paid £3,500 for last-minute flights for his family, felt "completely let down." He argued the FCDO's advice was "too late," suggesting warnings against travel should have been issued a week earlier. "A lot of the UK nationals and people on holiday there, they are stranded. This could have been prevented with better action from the UK Government," Rowe stated, expressing anxiety for those left behind.

The FCDO warned travelers of catastrophic flash floods and landslides in the coming hours, with up to 700mm of rain, four-meter waves, and 135mph winds possible. Tragically, seven people have already reportedly lost their lives across the wider Caribbean region. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the establishment of a crisis centre to assist Britons on the island, with support from the Ministry of Defence, and announced the positioning of specialist rapid deployment teams for consular assistance.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it neared Jamaica, marking it as the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the island since record-keeping began 174 years ago. This makes Melissa one of three Category 5 hurricanes during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, a frequency not seen in 20 years. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledged the immense challenge, stating, "There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5. The question now is the speed of recovery." Michael Brennan, director of the US National Hurricane Centre, warned of "total building failures" in areas experiencing gusts up to 200mph.

The devastation caused by Melissa, which weakened to a Category 4 after landfall but still carried sustained winds of 150 mph, includes massive power outages, downed trees, damaged buildings, flash flooding, and landslides. Sandra McCarty, a real estate agent who lived through Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, expressed profound concern, believing Melissa would be "even more devastating" than Gilbert, which killed at least 45 people and caused nearly $3 billion in damages. McCarty, now in Freeport, has been in close contact with relatives in Jamaica, who despite being physically and emotionally prepared, face a challenging recovery.

The Jamaican-American community on Long Island, with nearly 24,000 native-born Jamaicans, has also mobilized. Assemb. Michaelle Solages (D-Elmont) highlighted the difficulties of relief efforts in the Caribbean due to the time it takes for essential items like water and generators to arrive. Organizations like LEADja (Lunan Educational Advancement & Development Corporation) and the True Tribute Organization, along with local businesses, are soliciting donations and planning emergency supply and fundraising campaigns. Many, like Gian-George "Gio" Graham, owner of The Foood Spot in Dix Hills, and Horace Davis, president of the Caribbean American Society of New York, are deeply worried, noting that the island has never experienced a storm of this magnitude.

Travel companies like Tui and trade organization Abta urged customers to follow local authorities' advice, with international airports in Jamaica closed as a precaution. The FCDO reiterated that its travel advice includes information about hurricane season and that warnings about Tropical Storm Melissa's intensification were updated days prior. The focus remains on the safety and security of British nationals and supporting the affected regions as Hurricane Melissa is expected to slice diagonally across the island before heading towards Cuba and the southeastern Bahamas.