Hurricane Melissa's devastating eyewall carves path of destruction through Montego Bay, western Jamaica
Melissa moved like a buzzsaw over the western parishes of Jamaica. The storm's devastating eyewall passed directly over Montego Bay, Jamaica's third most populous city and a popular tourist destination.
Daylight reveals Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica
FOX Weather's Robert Ray and crew are on the ground in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, with the first light of the day revealing the devastation from Hurricane Melissa.
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Daylight has revealed devastating damage in western Jamaica, the morning after Hurricane Melissa made a record-setting landfall as a monster Category 5 storm, packing wind speeds of 185 mph.
The storm's destructive eyewall roared ashore Tuesday afternoon near New Hope, then hours later passed directly over Montego Bay, Jamaica's third most populous city and a popular tourist destination.
Residents in Jamaica share their experiences from Melissa
Jamaicans are reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, after it barreled through the island on Tuesday. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray spoke with residents in St. Ann Parish about how their lives were upended by the historic storm.
Video by FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray filmed on the island's northwestern shore showed buildings completely collapsed, torn off roofs, and streets littered with debris and power lines. The scenes were revealed as his crew made their way toward the city after riding out the storm Tuesday in St. Ann Parish, some 55 miles due east.
WATCH FOX WEATHER'S LIVE COVERAGE OF HURRICANE MELISSA
Ray called the destruction "immense" and said many people spoke with him about their harrowing experience riding out the storm.
It took roughly four hours for the eyewall of Hurricane Melissa to move over Jamaica, exiting as still a Category 4 hurricane. Intense wind gusts, whipping trees and a deafening roar were seen and heard in a video from Montego Bay during the height of the storm.
Powerful winds, heavy rain from Melissa pummel Jamaica
Powerful winds and heavy rain pummel Montego Bay in northern Jamaica on Tuesday.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross compared the eyewall of the storm to a 30-mile wide EF-5 tornado moving over the island.
77% of the country was without power Wednesday morning, according to Jamaican officials.
After the worst of the storm had passed, tourists in Montego Bay surveyed the damage, including one visitor at the Hotel Catalonia.
Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica devastated by winds from Hurricane Melissa
Tourists in Montego Bay surveyed the damage, including one visitor at the Hotel Catalonia. X user RJ Smith posted a video showing roof panels blown off the hotel, as well as entire parts of ceiling that had collapsed in the building's interior.
X user RJ Smith posted a video showing roof panels blown off the hotel, as well as entire parts of ceiling that had collapsed in the building's interior.
Another hotel guest at a luxury resort in Montego Bay evaluated the damage to the Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites Hotel.
"It's like a waterfall," said TikTok user Sherry. Video showed ceiling panels missing in the hotel lobby.
"Thank you to the hotel staff, they really went way above and beyond and we are extremely appreciative," she added.
![Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall.]()
Image 1 of 16Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall. ( )
![Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall.]()
Image 2 of 16Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall. ( )
![Flooded homes are seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Howard Acres neighbourhood in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides.]()
Image 3 of 16Flooded homes are seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Howard Acres neighbourhood in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. ((Photo by Ricardo MAKYN / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images))
![A damaged car by a fallen tree is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 16A damaged car by a fallen tree is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A house with a damaged roof is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 16A house with a damaged roof is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A torn off roof is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 16A torn off roof is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 16The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 8 of 16The Rio Cobre comes out of its banks near St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A blown down fence is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 9 of 16A blown down fence is seen in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 10 of 16A man looks at a fallen tree in St. Catherine, Jamaica, shortly before Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025. Ferocious winds and torrential rain tore into Jamaica Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa made landfall, the worst storm ever to strike the island nation and one of the most powerful hurricanes on record. The extremely violent Category 5 system was still crawling across the Caribbean, promising catastrophic floods and life-threatening conditions as maximum sustained winds reached a staggering 185 miles per hour (295 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall.]()
Image 11 of 16Hurricane Melissa damage in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025, a day after landfall. ( )
![Damages in Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 after Hurricane Melissa.]()
Image 12 of 16Damages in Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 after Hurricane Melissa. ( )
![Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall.]()
Image 13 of 16Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall. ( )
![Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall.]()
Image 14 of 16Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall. ( )
![Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall.]()
Image 15 of 16Damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall. ( )
![Wind damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall.]()
Image 16 of 16Wind damage from Hurricane Melissa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica on Oct. 29, 2025 a day after landfall. ( )
As of Wednesday morning, Jamaican officials said some 25,000 people were in shelters across the island.
At least 3 people were killed before landfall but no deaths or injuries have been reported so far since Tuesday. Government officials said they would not release a death toll before a thorough assessment had been completed.
Watch: Jamaican residents take refuge at police station as Hurricane Melissa lashes region
A video shared by the Jamaica Constabulary Force shows residents seeking shelter at a police station in Black River as Hurricane Melissa was ravaging the region on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Black River, one of the oldest towns on the island, just 11 miles south of the official landfall location was devastated by wind and storm surge. Video released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force showed power poles snapped in half, roofs torn off buildings and streets flooded.
Aerial footage of devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Aerial footage of devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
Aerial footage of the surrounding St. Elizabeth Parish showed trees completely bare without leaves or branches, a hallmark of intense wind gusts.
A Church with sections of its roof damage is seen damage following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, outside Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025. Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides.
( (Photo by Ricardo MAKYN / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray was reporting from the central part of Jamaica in St. Ann's Parish Tuesday where extensive wind damage wrecked the inside of the home where his team was staying.
Melissa is tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane in the last 90 years.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Jamaica’s mountainous terrain will continue to enhance any leftover rainfall as deep tropical moisture will continue to be drawn over the island by Melissa’s circulation.
Meanwhile, in Haiti, Hurricane Melissa left its mark in the form of extreme flooding. While the storm did not make landfall on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti was pounded with days of heavy rain from the storm's outer bands.
At least 28 people have been killed in floods attributed to Hurricane Melissa in Haiti.
Extreme flooding in Jacmel, Haiti
Video from Jacmel, Haiti shows a river raging amid the torrential rains from Hurricane Melissa.