Hurricane Melissa: Caribbean braces for devastating impacts of storm, ...

Flooding and landslides already occurring. Landfall expected in Jamaica midday or early afternoon Tuesday.

October 27, 2025- As Hurricane Melissa continues to intensify into an extremely powerful and deadly storm, CARE teams and local partners are closely monitoring and preparing to respond as needed once impacts are known and it is safe to do so. Currently a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of close to 140 mph, Melissa is projected to further strengthen before making its first landfall in Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday. The implications for communities of such a large storm could be devastating.

Because Melissa has been moving so slowly, islands across the region have been and will continue to experience prolonged and severe impacts - including damaging winds, storm surges, landslides, and torrential rain. These effects have been felt in places like Jamaica and Haiti. Haiti reported three deaths due to the storm on Friday, following landslides near Port-au-Prince. There is also the likelihood of storm impacts in Cuba, among other islands, in the week ahead.

As with any emergency like this, it is the most vulnerable - including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children - who are most at risk.

Jamaica

In Jamaica, CARE works through the Caribbean Humanitarian Partnership Platform - a coalition of lifesaving, locally led, and women-focused organizations. As part of their collective response to Melissa, CARE, the Caribbean Gender Alliance, and the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) will prioritize cash assistance to help families meet essential needs, livelihood support to restore sources of income and ensure long-term recovery, and protection services for vulnerable people.

"Twenty to 30 inches of rain are forecast for eastern parishes over the next few days, which will cause widespread flooding and landslides. Some parts of the island could see 40+ inches of rain. We, at CARE, stand ready to support those affected by Melissa, including our network of committed local partners who will help lead the response to this crisis," said Jonathan Arogeti, Caribbean Humanitarian Response Lead at CARE.

"The safety of everyone in Jamaica is our focus," said Nadella Oya, Interim Chair of the Caribbean Gender Alliance. "We will only know the full extent of the damage once the shelter order has been lifted. Melissa has the potential to devastate the lives of women and families. We must ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind in the response and recovery efforts."

"Melissa has become a major hurricane today. Our members stand ready to support rural women and their families as they prepare for and recover from Melissa," said Tamisha Lee, President of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers. "Rural women are the backbone of our economy, and their capacity to recover must be the immediate and driving priority of this humanitarian response."

Following last year's Hurricane Beryl, CARE supported local communities in Jamaica through the same partnership platform and trusted organizations like JNRWP.

Haiti

Hurricane Melissa is bringing torrential rainfall, flooding and landslides across Haiti, with estimates at four to eight inches of rain in western regions and over 12 inches from the southeast to Grande Anse, for the duration of the storm. In some localized areas, totals could possibly reach 35 to 40 inches by Wednesday morning.

In Haiti, CARE has teams in Port-au-Prince, Grand'Anse, Artibonite, North and Northwest Departments.

"For several days now, communities across the country have been experiencing heavy rains, flash flooding, landslides. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones to this storm," said Martin Dickler, CARE's Country Director in Haiti. "CARE will continue working alongside partners to identify the needs and support in the affected areas where we work."

For the last several years the country has been coping with overlapping and protracted health, hunger, and displacement crises - which this storm will exacerbate.

Cuba

There is also a strong possibility that Melissa will impact the Eastern part of Cuba between Tuesday and Wednesday after passing through Jamaica early this week.

"Cubans are resilient, but climate catastrophes take a heavy toll on the population and the region," says CARE Cuba's Country Director, Valerio Granello. "We have not yet recovered from the last hurricane season, when two hurricanes hit Cuba in a period of two weeks. Homes, schools, health facilities and roads are still damaged. Amidst this and the country's continuous power outages and ongoing arbovirus complex epidemiological situation, Melissa could have a devastating impact for many people." CARE Cuba and its partners will continue to monitor developments and stand ready to respond as the storm impacts are known.

During emergencies, we focus in contributing, together with the Cuban authorities, to guarantee the most vulnerable populations - especially women, children and elderly residents - receive the support they need.

For updates on CARE's storm response efforts and information on how you can support communities affected by emergencies like Melissa, please visit https://www.care.ca.

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Media Relations CARE Canada [email protected]

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package ℠, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE puts women and girls at the centre of our work because we know we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE develops solutions alongside women and girls to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty and out of crisis. CARE works in over 100 countries around the world.

To learn more about CARE Canada, visit care.ca.