By: Staff Writer
October 31, 2025
The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has continued to rise as the storm left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean as Jamaica and Haiti received the brunt of the destruction.
Dozens of people have died in Haiti after Melissa’s rains swelled river banks, according to reports. At least 25 people have been killed, according to latest updates.
In Jamaica, authorities confirmed four bodies had been recovered on Wednesday. Two people were found dead in the Black River area, the other two in the Gallon Beach district.
Hurricane Melissa brought devastation and death to the Caribbean as it tore through the region as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in more than 150 years.
Torrential downpours and forceful winds unleashed widespread destruction along the storm’s path in Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. At least 30 people have died, though the full toll of the catastrophic storm may take days or weeks to be determined.
With the Caribbean and the Bahamas in Melissa’s rearview mirror, the next close encounter to land will be with Bermuda before the end of the week and a possible landfall in part of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador from Friday night to Saturday morning.
Melissa still has a long journey ahead, with an Eye Path® that will take it close enough to Bermuda and Atlantic Canada to bring wind and rain impacts.
Hurricane Melissa is expected to make its closest pass to Bermuda soon at Category 1 or 2 intensity, where a hurricane warning is in effect.
Tropical storm force winds will develop in Bermuda soon, and hurricane conditions are expected for a very short time. Some coastal flooding is possible in Bermuda through tonight in areas where winds blown onshore.
Fortunately, Melissa is moving much faster now as it moves farther north, so only about an inch of rain is expected in Bermuda, and conditions should improve quickly later Friday morning.
After that, Melissa should morph into a post-tropical low over the North Atlantic, brushing Newfoundland, Canada, Friday night. Coupled with the jet stream, its remnants could bring some wind and rain to Ireland and the United Kingdom early next week.