IFAW's response to Hurricane Melissa

October 27, 2025

Hurricane Melissa has intensified dramatically and is now bearing down on Jamaica and the surrounding region. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has upgraded Melissa to a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds reaching around 175 mph and possibly higher in satellite estimates. This makes it one of the strongest storms ever recorded heading directly for Jamaica.

As of Monday, Melissa is moving west at just 3-5 mph (5-8 km/h), significantly increasing the risk of prolonged exposure to heavy rain, hurricane-force wind, and life-threatening storm surge.

In Jamaica, evacuations are already underway for low-lying and coastal communities-including areas around Kingston and the south coast-with hundreds of shelters opened and both major airports closed in advance of landfall.

We are working with Jamaican and regional partners as response and relief planning is underway. Prior to landfall, IFAW began supporting Animal House Jamaica with emergency funding to help prepare the community for sheltering in place. From governmental and non-governmental, public and private, all entities are vital in a crisis like this, when entire communities are vulnerable, and access may be severely limited for days.

First and foremost, Hurricane Melissa presents a major humanitarian crisis for Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas. Community animals such as pets and farm animals are therefore also at risk. And a storm of this magnitude puts wildlife and ecosystems in crisis as well, threatening habitats, disrupting fragile coastal ecosystems, and increasing the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict in the aftermath. Species that depend on mangroves, wetlands, or coastal forests may lose vital shelter and food sources overnight.

Power and communication systems are already failing, and immediate support for rescue and response will be essential. IFAW stands ready to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, ensuring that animals are not forgotten in the response-and that local partners have the support they need to recover.