Hurricane Melissa, Track And Travel Impact This Week

Published on Oct 28, 2025, 9:53 am CDT

5 min read

Key points

NHC says Category 5 Melissa is impacting Jamaica on October 28 with catastrophic winds, flooding and storm surge
Jamaica has closed Norman Manley and Sangster international airports pending post-storm safety checks
Major airlines, including Delta and American, issued change-fee waivers with rebooking windows into early November
Cruise lines are rerouting from Jamaican ports, with more itinerary changes likely across the northwest Caribbean
Track guidance takes Melissa toward eastern Cuba midweek, then the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos later in the week

Hurricane Melissa intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane and is striking Jamaica on October 28, 2025, bringing catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and life-threatening storm surge. Jamaica's two main gateways, Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston and Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, are closed while authorities direct residents and visitors to shelter in place. Major airlines have activated change-fee waivers, and cruise lines are already rerouting itineraries around Jamaica and adjacent waters. Travelers with plans anywhere along the storm's forecast path should expect rolling disruptions for several days and recheck reservations before departure.

Hurricane Melissa, what changed

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports the eye of Melissa is near western Jamaica today with sustained Category 5 winds and extreme rainfall rates. Official guidance keeps the circulation moving north to northwest, bringing the core across or near Jamaica today, toward eastern Cuba by midweek, then through portions of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos into late week. Confidence is highest on significant surge and flooding on south and west exposures of Jamaica, with damaging winds expanding well away from the center.

Jamaica's government confirmed both international airports are shut pending post-storm assessments. The U.S. Embassy in Kingston urged shelter-in-place until authorities declare it safe to move, noting dangerous conditions and the potential for prolonged outages. Seaports have also paused operations.

Airlines including Delta and American issued travel waivers that allow one-time changes without fees, with most rebooking windows extending into early November. Third-party roundups indicate similar policies across other U.S. and Canadian carriers.

Cruise operators have begun rerouting, with Jamaica calls canceled or swapped for safer ports while seas remain hazardous. Expect additional changes around Grand Cayman, the north coast of Cuba, and the Bahamas as the storm progresses.

Latest developments

As of the NHC's Tuesday morning updates, Melissa's eye is approaching western Jamaica with "catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and storm surge expected on the island today." Forecasters emphasize the storm's slow movement will prolong dangerous rainfall and surge.

Analysis

For air travelers, the practical effect is a cascade of cancellations and aircraft and crew displacements that extend beyond Jamaica. Even when KIN and MBJ reopen, the first 24 to 48 hours typically bring limited schedules, long lines at counters, and priority re-accommodation for stranded passengers. Use airline apps to accept rebooking, and avoid the airport until you have a confirmed new itinerary. Delta's waiver currently permits rebooking through November 2 on the same cabin with fare differences waived, a pattern echoed by several peers. American's sales portal outlines similar flexibility for affected Jamaica points.

If you are traveling later this week through Havana, Holguín, or Santiago de Cuba, build margin into connections and consider moving earlier, later, or through a different hub where airline policy allows. As Melissa lifts into the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, expect temporary airport closures, ground stops, and diversions. Even airports outside the warning area may see delays from flow control as carriers reposition fleets and air traffic control meters arrivals into constrained hubs.

Cruise guests should watch for revised calls and arrival windows, especially at private islands in the Bahamas where tendering is restricted by swell. Lines typically auto-credit canceled excursions and will message new options via app and terminal boards. The Welcome to Jamrock sailing's reroute is an early example; more itinerary edits are likely as marine forecasts evolve.

Background Atlantic hurricane warnings and watches are issued by the NHC, with local civil aviation and port authorities executing closures and reopenings after safety inspections. Airport reopening depends on runway debris clearance, lighting and nav-aid checks, staffing, and terminal power and water. Even after a "field open" notice, airlines may delay restart while they reposition aircraft and crews or await ground handling capacity.

For travelers beyond the core, surfers and beachgoers from South Florida to the Carolinas should expect dangerous rip currents and rough surf late week as long-period swell arrives from Melissa's large circulation. That can trigger red flags and occasional beach closures. Flight crews operating along the U.S. East Coast may encounter reroutes around convective bands and high-level turbulence at the periphery, adding to minor delays.

For ongoing coverage and practical tips, see Adept's related reporting on Jamaica airport closures and airline waivers, and our cruise operations tracker as lines reshuffle Western Caribbean calls this week. Jamaica Airports Closed, Hurricane Melissa Waivers and Western Caribbean Cruise Changes As Melissa Nears Jamaica.

Final thoughts

Hurricane Melissa is a high-end, slow-moving system, so recovery will not be instantaneous. If you have near-term plans involving Jamaica, eastern Cuba, the Bahamas, or Turks and Caicos, align with your airline's waiver, accept the earliest workable rebooking, and keep plans flexible through the weekend. The primary keyword appears here as a reminder: Hurricane Melissa travel impact will evolve daily as assessments complete and schedules rebuild.