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Devastating Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica, Urges Climate Action

11/4/2025

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on October 28, causing over 60 fatalities.
The storm tied for the highest landfalling wind speeds in the Atlantic, reaching 185 mph.
Experts attribute its strength to human-induced climate change.
Some scientists propose adding Category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Civil society groups in Jamaica call for urgent climate justice ahead of the Conference of the Parties 30 (COP30) summit.

History

Historical Context

Hurricane Andrew, which struck Florida on August 24, 1992, as a Category 5 storm, caused 65 fatalities and approximately $27.3 billion in damages, making it the costliest hurricane in U.S. history at that time. The storm's devastation prompted significant changes in building codes and insurance regulations, highlighting the urgent need for climate action as extreme weather events become more frequent.

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Story summary

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on October 28, causing over 60 fatalities.
The storm tied for the highest landfalling wind speeds in the Atlantic, reaching 185 mph.
Experts attribute its strength to human-induced climate change.
Some scientists propose adding Category 6 to the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Civil society groups in Jamaica call for urgent climate justice ahead of the Conference of the Parties 30 (COP30) summit.

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