‘Storm of the century’ continues its deadly path across the Americas after it caused unprecedented catastrophe in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday as a category 5 hurricane, making Melissa the most powerful storm of 2025, and the first hurricane of this kind to hit Jamaica in known history. It brought with it torrential rains, which have left whole communities underwater and devastating winds have caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.  

While the situation is still developing, the Red Cross warns that the humanitarian needs will be serious and urgent, with hundreds of thousands of people affected in Jamaica and across the region. 

Jamaica Red Cross staff and volunteers, who come from the very communities they serve, took early, life-saving action mobilising 400 volunteers, pre-positioning emergency supplies, and prepare shelters before the storm hits. As day breaks in the region, the focus will now be on assessing the impact and providing emergency relief. 

Across the Caribbean, Red Cross teams have been mobilising as Melissa continue its trajectory across Cuba, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Haiti. The first priorities are search and rescue, and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter and clean water. 

If you can please donate to help people impacted by Hurricane Melissa on the British Red Cross website, or call 0300 023 0814.  

Alexander Pendry, British Red Cross Global Response Manager, said: 

“We’re waiting for dawn to break in Jamaica so that teams can assess the full extent of the damage, but early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island. News is already coming through that whole communities are under water and that the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating.

 “The Jamaica Red Cross has been proactively supporting communities by preparing essential supplies and managing shelters, their priority now is to reach people with aid as soon as possible. Across the Caribbean, Red Cross teams have been mobilising as Melissa continue its trajectory across Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

 “The immediate priorities are search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies. Tragically, experience tells us that the impact on communities and individuals will be shattering and long lasting. We will be here for as long as people need us.” 

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the British Red Cross is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders. www.redcross.org.uk