Hurricane Melissa carved a path of destruction across the Caribbean, leaving fatalities, widespread flooding, and significant damage in its wake on October 30, 2025. The storm struck southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025, with winds exceeding 185 mph, causing catastrophic flooding and destroying historic sites, including the 1700s Black River Anglican Church.

Authorities have declared Jamaica a disaster area as search-and-rescue and clean-up efforts are underway. Power outages and communication disruptions persist across the island nation.

Hurricane Melissa: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

• Fast Facts: Hurricane Melissa
• What’s the latest update on Hurricane Melissa?
• What’s the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean?
• How many people have been affected by Hurricane Melissa?
• How is World Vision helping communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa?
• What’s the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the people of Haiti?
• How can I help people affected by Hurricane Melissa and other disasters?

Fast Facts: Hurricane Melissa

• Formed on October 21, 2025, as the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
• Intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on October 27, 2025.
• Reached maximum sustained winds at 185 mph, with higher gusts, according to NOAA.
• Made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, causing catastrophic winds, torrential rains, and flooding.
• The storm affected millions across the Caribbean, including Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
• Torrential rain lashed Haiti, the Caribbean’s most populous nation, causing floods and landslides.
• Resulted in nearly 30 deaths across the region: Haiti (25 deaths, including 10 children), Jamaica (4 deaths), and the Dominican Republic (1 death). Many others are missing.
• Endangered 1.6 million children in Jamaica, Haiti, and the surrounding islands.
• Caused widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and agricultural loss across the Caribbean.

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What’s the latest update on Hurricane Melissa?

As of October 30, 2025, Hurricane Melissa had weakened to a Category 1 storm.

Melissa is currently 430 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving northeast at 30 mph. After passing Bermuda, the storm is expected to weaken further as it heads toward the Canadian Maritimes. By Saturday, Melissa is expected to become a strong post-tropical storm near Newfoundland.

At its peak, Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane, causing catastrophic damage across Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica.

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What’s the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean?

Hurricane Melissa has unleashed powerful winds, torrential rainfall, and landslides across the Caribbean. As of October 30, 2025, the latest updates on the storm’s impact by countries are as follows:

Cuba

• Authorities had evacuated more than 700,00 people across eastern Cuba ahead of the storm’s landfall.
• In the province of Santiago alone, at least 241 communities remained isolated and without communications, affecting up to 140,000 residents.

Dominican Republic

• Heavy rains and widespread flooding triggered landslides, damaging homes and displacing hundreds of  900 people. Over 1.1 million people are without access to safe drinking water.

Haiti

• At least 25 people, including 10 children, have died in Haiti, and 12 are missing. Damage reports indicate that over 1,000 homes have been flooded, damaged, or destroyed, and nearly 12,000 people have moved into emergency shelters.

Jamaica

• Up to 1.5 million people could be impacted by the storm. Widespread power outages have left at least 72% of the island without electricity, and many areas are reporting catastrophic infrastructure damage.
• AccuWeather estimates that Melissa could cause $22 billion in damages and economic loss, with rebuilding potentially taking a decade or more.

Across the region, children are among the most vulnerable, facing disrupted schooling, unsafe shelter, and rising risks of malnutrition and exploitation.

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How is World Vision helping communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa?

In Haiti, we already have a strong presence and are taking steps in our disaster relief efforts there:

• Pre-positioned emergency supplies: We are supporting at least 4,000 households with food, clean water, hygiene kits, and shelter materials. Local networks shared alerts and preparedness tips, helping residents brace for the storm’s impact.

In Jamaica, where World Vision doesn’t operate, we are preparing hurricane disaster relief through our partnerships:

• Pre-positioned emergency aid supplies: All six World Vision warehouses have essential supplies ready to deploy, with initial loads coming from Pittsburgh and Dallas to expedite delivery. As of October 30, 2025, two shipping containers of emergency response supplies from our Pittsburgh warehouse have been dispatched to Miami. Once distribution hubs in Jamaica are identified by the National Baptist Convention (NBC), World Vision will work to transport the containers to a port in Jamaica and onward to NBC church distribution sites.  
• Shipping containers of aid: Immediate relief supplies from our Pittsburgh warehouse to Miami, for onward transport to Jamaica. Supplies include:
  • Flood buckets
  • Generators
  • Hygiene kits
  • Tarps
  • Additional emergency items

Through these efforts, World Vision is working to ensure that children and families in both Haiti and Jamaica can receive urgent assistance in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

“With communications down and so many communities cut off, our biggest challenge is getting aid to those who need it most,” said Mike Bassett, World Vision’s national director of domestic humanitarian and emergency affairs. “We’re working with partners to deliver supplies and reach families in the hardest-hit areas.”

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What’s the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the people of Haiti?

At least 25 people have died across Haiti, and 13 are missing. Damage reports indicate that at least 450 homes have been flooded, damaged, or destroyed.

“Children and families in Haiti are facing compounding crises,” said Lesly Michaud, national program director in Haiti. “We are committed to standing with communities through this storm and beyond, ensuring they receive the support they need to recover and rebuild.”

Prior to the storm, Haiti was already facing significant challenges. One of the world’s most vulnerable countries, Haiti’s nearly 5 million people — half of them children — are facing severe hunger. World Vision warns that Hurricane Melissa could further devastate food systems and set back recovery efforts amid ongoing violence and displacement.

“Food insecurity has been plaguing Haiti for the past year or so, where more than half of the population is food insecure,” said Guy F. Vital-Herne, communications manager for World Vision in Haiti. “The impact that we are seeing so far of Hurricane Melissa is putting more pressure now on some populations, with many crops being destroyed right now.”

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How can I help people affected by Hurricane Melissa and other disasters?

• Pray: Join us in praying for all those impacted by Hurricane Melissa and other disasters around the world.
• Give: Your gift will help deliver urgent aid to children and families impacted by this hurricane and other disasters around the world.

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For children in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East, the sounds of armed violence have become a tragic regular reality. Schools that once provided hope and stability are now closed, with classrooms turned into makeshift shelters. Thousands of displaced families face uncertainty every day.

Middle East crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

Explore facts, and frequently asked questions about the crisis in the Middle East, and learn how you can help impacted communities.

• Fast facts: Middle East crisis
• How is the Middle East crisis affecting children?
• What is World Vision doing to help impacted families in the Middle East?
• How can I help the children and families affected by the crisis in the Middle East?

Fast facts: Middle East crisis

• In Lebanon:
  • More than 4 million people need humanitarian assistance.
  • Over 80% of Lebanon’s population lives in multidimensional poverty, struggling to access basic needs.
  • In some areas of Lebanon, half of children under age 2 experience severe food poverty.
  • Over 300 schools have been damaged from conflict.

• West Bank:
  • About 14,000 children are displaced.
  • Many schools in the West Bank are open only three days a week.
  • Health clinics are open just one day a week, with limited access to healthcare personnel and essential supplies.
  • 3 million children are at risk as the crisis worsens.

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How is the Middle East crisis affecting children?

Every child deserves to feel safe, to learn, and to grow up healthy. Right now, violence, poverty, and failing services are stealing those basic rights from far too many children. In some regions of Lebanon, more than half of children under 2 face severe food poverty, while nationwide nearly a third of children under 18 had just one meal or none the day before.

In the West Bank, frequent service interruptions mean that children often go without regular schooling or healthcare. Many experience stress, fear, and uncertainty about the future. When the basic structures that protect childhood break down, children lose the stability and opportunity that every young person deserves.

Children in Lebanon and the West Bank are growing up amid conditions that threaten their health, learning, and security. Families are struggling to find enough food, and many can no longer afford diverse or nutritious meals. In some regions of Lebanon, more than half of children under age 2 are affected by severe food poverty. Across the country, more than a third of children have one or fewer meals a day.

Education has also been disrupted. In the West Bank, many schools operate only three days a week, leaving children without consistent learning or the structure and stability that classrooms provide. Healthcare facilities are open one day a week, leaving communities vulnerable to illnesses with limited access to healthcare professionals and essential supplies.

The loss of essential needs such as food, safety, and stability places significant psychological strain on children, compounding the effects of ongoing conflict.

“The conflict is impacting children caught in this cycle of violence, hunger, and displacement. Behind each statistic is a story — stories of children and the families who want to keep them safe — enduring unimaginable fear, trauma, and loss,” says Margaret Schuler, senior vice president of International Programs for World Vision.

Such experiences can shape how children grow, learn, and dream long after the crisis ends.

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What is World Vision doing to help impacted families in the Middle East?

World Vision is working in both Lebanon and the West Bank to meet urgent needs while helping families recover and rebuild stronger communities for the future.

In Lebanon, World Vision reached over 589,000 people, including more than 217,000 children, through programs focused on education, protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene, food security, and cash assistance.

• 10.2 million meals delivered to families in need
• 24,700 blankets distributed
• 61,000 hygiene kits distributed
• 11,600 children received psychosocial support
• 934 shelters rehabilitated, including schools, homes, and health care centers, to help ensure dignified living conditions and access to essential services.​

In the West Bank, World Vision has reached more than 1 million people, including 430,000 children. The response includes five key components: emergency aid for communities affected by violence and displacement, mental health and psychosocial support, and protection initiatives that strengthen first responder capacity and improve access to health services and education.

• 10,700 people received cash or voucher assistance, allowing families to meet their most urgent needs
• 35,000 children have access to safe play and recreation areas where they can connect and play with others
• 28,000 children are participating in social and emotional learning activities that help build confidence and coping skills

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How can I help the children and families affected by the crisis in the Middle East?

Now more than ever, children in Lebanon and across the Middle East need our help. Every child deserves to feel safe, to learn, and to grow up healthy. Right now, violence, poverty, and failing services are stealing those basic rights from far too many children. ​Our staff and those we serve deeply appreciate the continued prayers of our donors and partners. Gifts to support these and other urgent relief efforts can be made to our Disaster Relief Fund.

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 Amy Van Drunen of World Vision in the United States contributed to this article. 

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Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. The storm triggered mass evacuations, with over 5 million people fleeing coastal areas along the East Coast. Helene caused widespread destruction, bringing record-breaking rainfall, severe flooding, and hurricane-force winds across several states. At least 227 people lost their lives in the extreme weather event.

Hurricane Helene: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

• Fast facts: Hurricane Helene
• What is the latest update on Hurricane Helene?
• How did Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton impact the southeastern U.S. in 2024?
• How is World Vision helping communities impacted by Hurricane Helene?
• How can I help people affected by Hurricane Helene and other disasters in the U.S.?

Fast Facts: Hurricane Helene

• Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
• The storm caused widespread destruction across northwestern Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, bringing record-breaking rainfall, severe flooding, and hurricane-force winds ranging from 40 to 60 mph.
• Hurricane Helene ranked among the most powerful storms to hit the United States and the strongest hurricane on record to strike Florida’s Big Bend region.
• Among the deadliest U.S. hurricanes since Maria in 2017 and Katrina in 2005, Helene claimed at least 227 lives.
• With initial damage estimates of at least $79.6 billion, Helene ranks among the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
• Compounding the devastation in many of the same areas, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 storm.

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What is the latest update on Hurricane Helene?

As of February 2025, recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene are ongoing. While many areas have continued to make progress, some of the hardest-hit communities face challenges such as power restoration, infrastructure repairs, and debris removal. Helene is the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Maria in 2017. About half the victims were in North Carolina, while dozens more perished in Georgia and South Carolina. The storm caused massive power outages and widespread infrastructure damage.

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How did Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton impact the southeastern U.S. in 2024?

Just weeks apart, Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the southeastern U.S. in 2024, causing widespread devastation. Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26 with 140 mph winds, bringing record-breaking rainfall, severe flooding, and hurricane-force winds across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. With at least 227 fatalities, Helene became the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Maria in 2017.

Shortly after, Hurricane Milton struck many of the same areas, compounding the damage with additional flooding and destruction. In response to both disasters, World Vision delivered emergency aid, distributing food, clean water, hygiene kits, and rebuilding materials to affected communities. Recovery efforts continue, with long-term support focused on rebuilding homes and infrastructure.

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How is World Vision helping communities impacted by Hurricane Helene?

World Vision responded quickly to Hurricane Helene’s devastation in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, partnering with local churches to reach the hardest-hit communities. When Hurricane Milton struck shortly after, our teams quickly expanded their efforts to support even more impacted communities.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and through our 20 church partnerships, we have served 90,914 people in the affected states of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. We delivered:

Food aid:

• Over 83,800 pounds of food, including 4,366 Crisis Relief Boxes and 1,100 turkeys for holiday meals.
• 19,248 gallons of clean water.

Christmas support:

• In December 2024, World Vision supported eight holiday events, delivering over 20,000 toys, card games, stuffed animals, books, items of clothing, and other recreational items.

Rebuilding efforts: 

• Partnering with long-term recovery groups to rebuild 150 homes, supplying lumber for framing, drywall and supplies, flooring, doors, bathroom fixtures (including sinks and toilets), kitchen appliances, shingles, and more.

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How can I help people affected by Hurricane Helene and other disasters in the U.S.?

• Pray: Join us in praying for all those impacted by Hurricane Helene and other disasters around the world.
• Give: Your gift will help deliver urgent aid to children and families impacted by this hurricane and other disasters in the U.S.

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In September and October 2024, the Southeastern U.S. was struck by two powerful hurricanes, Helene and Milton, causing widespread destruction. The storms left communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and beyond struggling with the aftermath: destroyed homes, disrupted lives, and severely damaged or completely destroyed infrastructure.

In these critical moments, World Vision’s swift and steadfast response has made a significant difference. Partnering with 20 local churches, we distributed essential supplies like clean water, generators, diapers, personal care items, and more, ensuring that people in the hardest-hit areas readily accessed the basics they needed.

Rev. Louis M. Murphy, Sr., of Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Florida, shared his gratitude: “To be able to partner with World Vision, a worldwide organization that has that local touch as well, is incredible.”

Our commitment to supporting these communities extends beyond short-term relief to long-term recovery and rebuilding.

“World Vision’s mission is not only to be among the first to respond when disaster strikes, but also to stay long after the headlines fade,” World Vision’s National Director of U.S. Programs, Reed Slattery said. “That’s what we mean by being ‘first in, last out.’ Our commitment is to help families not just survive the immediate impacts of the storm but to thrive long-term by rebuilding their homes. We’re honored to be the Lord’s hands and feet during the most difficult times in the lives of storm survivors.”

Your immediate support and ongoing impact

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the partnership of churches, faith-based organizations, and community organizations, we’ve distributed 57 truckloads of aid, bringing relief to communities across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

As of September 2025, World Vision’s response has supported 90,914 people in the hardest-hit communities. Through 20 church partnerships, we delivered:

• Over 83,800 pounds of food, including 4,366 Crisis Relief Boxes and 1,100 turkeys for holiday meals
• 19,248 gallons of clean water
• More than 20,000 toys, books, items of clothing, and holiday gift items to families in need

Pastor Gwen Jones from St. John Baptist Church called World Vision’s response “an answer to prayer.”

A future of hope and restoration

We’re continuing to focus on post-storm clean-up and rebuilding as we move into the recovery phase. Our long-term commitments include supporting our partnerships to rebuild 150 homes with building materials such as lumber, drywall, appliances, and more. Long after other organizations have often left, we will continue to stand by these communities, dedicated to helping them rebuild and restore their lives with dignity and hope.

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