Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane Melissa became one of the most powerful hurricanes on record to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin.
Melissa made landfall Tuesday afternoon in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm then swept across western Jamaica, bringing catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surge throughout the island.
The hurricane ranks in a three-way tie with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the «Labor Day» hurricane (1935) for the strongest sustained winds at landfall, records show.
Hurricane Dorian made landfall near Elbow Cay, Bahamas, on Sept. 6, 2019, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, according to the National Weather Service. It is the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the Bahamas.
Dorian destroyed thousands of homes and caused $3.4 billion in losses in the Bahamas, according to a report by the Inter-American Development Bank. At least 74 people died as a result of the storm, according to the NHC.
On Sept. 2, 1935, the «Labor Day» hurricane also made landfall in the Florida Keys with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
