Live Now

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after pummeling Jamaica l Watch Live

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near Chivirico, Cuba early Wednesday as a powerful Category 3 storm after slamming Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.

UPDATE ON HURRICANE MELISSA: LOCATION l JAMAICA AFTERMATH l US IMPACTS

Live coverage of Hurricane Melissa

***Watch the media player above for LIVE coverage from FOX Weather.

Where is Hurricane Melissa now?

Melissa has winds of 120 mph and started to weaken after making its second landfall in eastern Cuba, but forecasters tell FOX Weather that the hurricane's force will continue as it spins across the island. 

IN SPACE, CARIBBEAN SEA - OCTOBER 28: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Melissa makes landfall over Jamaica and weakens to a Category 4 storm in the Caribbean Sea, captured at 20:30Z on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, bringing torrential winds, flash flooding, and storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)

IN SPACE, CARIBBEAN SEA - OCTOBER 28: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheri

Early Wednesday, Melissa was moving northeast at 12 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The hurricane was centered 60 miles west of Guantánamo, Cuba, and 230 miles (370 kilometers) south of the central Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center warned residents of Cuba to remain sheltered and that preparations for the storm in the Bahamas need to be completed quickly.

Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

Dig deeper:

The National Hurricane Center warned residents of Cuba to remain sheltered and that preparations for the storm in the Bahamas need to be completed quickly.

Before slamming into Cuba on Wednesday, millions of people across Jamaica had to endure the catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Melissa as it approached the southwestern coast of the island.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, around 1 p.m. Tuesday as a massive Category 5 hurricane with winds of 185 mph. 

Residents ride motorcycles through flooded areas before Hurricane Melissa hits the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was set to strike nearby eastern end of Cuba late Tuesday after pummeling Jamaica. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP) (Photo by YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images)

Residents ride motorcycles through flooded areas before Hurricane Melissa hits the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was set to strike nearby eastern end of Cuba late Tuesday after pummeling Jamaica. (Photo by YAMI

FOX Weather reported that Melissa is now the third-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, and is tied for the strongest landfalling hurricane on record.

Will Hurricane Melissa hit the US?

Local perspective:

Despite what you might have seen on social media, Melissa will head out to sea and will not directly affect the East Coast of the U.S. Fall cold fronts will keep it away.

What's next:

The hurricane is projected to make its way Thursday near or to the west of Bermuda, where a hurricane watch is in effect.

HurricanesWorld