Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica on Tuesday as a monster Category 5 storm, with sustained winds topping out a 185 mph.

Josh Wurman and Karen Kosiba, the researchers inside the mobile radar unit, noted the average wind inside the hurricane’s eyewall was between 90 and 100 mph; it ramped up to 145 mph during the passage of at least one of these whirls.

Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica with life-threatening storm surge as Cubans warned to seek shelter: Live updates - The storm made landfall in the southwestern part of the island, with destructive winds

A Texas woman stranded in Jamaica with her family described what it was like to experience the catastrophic storm while sheltering at a Sandals resort.

Hurricane Melissa on Monday became the third Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2025, and all of them surged up within days/ Why is this happening?

Hurricane Melissa will be the strongest storm in modern history to hit Jamaica. Maximum sustained winds are 180 mph.

In the videos taken on Monday, Oct. 27, huge clusters of clouds swirl around the hurricane's "eye." At times, the clouds show bright white.

Before Hurricane Melissa, the most damaging hurricane to hit Jamaica was Gilbert, which struck the island in September 1988. Gilbert was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall and caused tremendous damage from intense winds, storm surge and flooding. Tens of thousands were left homeless, and 49 people were killed.

New York was spared a direct blow from Hurricane Melissa, but the massive storm still hit home for the millions of residents there who have deep roots in the Caribbean.

The start to the holiday season's gatherings and good cheer can be spoiled when Mother Nature gets ugly. Check out these nasty storms.