Hurricane Melissa: One of the most powerful on record

The hurricane Melissa, which is fiercely striking the southern coast of Jamaica this Tuesday and is dangerously approaching eastern Cuba, is already listed among the most powerful hurricanes recorded in Atlantic history.

With sustained winds of 295 km/h (185 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 892 millibars, the cyclone is among the small group of extreme category 5 hurricanes, comparable only to historic monsters like Wilma (2005), Dorian (2019), and the Labor Day hurricane (1935).

According to data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States, Melissa is among the three most intense hurricanes in the Atlantic since modern records began, and could become the strongest to directly impact Jamaica in nearly two centuries of observations.

“Catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surges are occurring on the island,” the NHC warned in its 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) bulletin.

A historic record for Jamaica

Melissa reached its peak intensity less than 100 kilometers off the Jamaican coast, an area where major hurricanes typically weaken before making landfall.

However, this time the conditions were almost perfect: exceptionally warm waters, low wind shear, and a slow movement, which allowed for explosive intensification.

International media outlets, such as AP News and The Guardian, are already describing it as “the most powerful hurricane to threaten Jamaica since records began,” marking it alongside the major benchmark cyclones in the region.

Cuba under direct threat

The Cuban government maintains , where torrential rains, destructive winds, and waves reaching up to four meters are expected.

The NHC warned that the eye of Melissa will cross the southeast of Cuba in the early hours of Wednesday, maintaining much of its destructive strength. The projected path would then take it over the southeast and central Bahamas, where hurricane warnings have also been issued.

A hurricane that defines an era

The 2025 hurricane season is shaping up to be one of the most active in two decades: Melissa becomes the third Category 5 hurricane of the Atlantic this year, something that hasn't happened since 2005.

With its atmospheric pressure and maximum sustained winds, Melissa earns its place in history as one of the most powerful hurricanes ever observed, and its passage through the Caribbean could leave a mark as deep as the names that are never forgotten.

Interestingly, the name "Melissa" —which means "bee" or "the one who has honey," from the Greek mélissa— is associated in mythology with sweetness, wisdom, and diligent work.

Today, however, that gentle name leads a phenomenon that embodies the most violent aspect of nature, reminding us that even the sweetest can become devastating.