Hurricane Melissa hits Bermuda; tourism aids Caribbean.

When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28, 2025, it did so as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph — the most powerful hurricane to hit the island since records began in 1851. Within days, the storm had carved a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, claiming at least 44 lives and causing an estimated $48 billion to $52 billion in damage, according to AccuWeather. For travelers with plans in the region, the immediate question was practical: where can you still go, and what happens to your existing booking?

This article breaks down the impact of Hurricane Melissa on each affected destination — Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda — and looks at how the Dominican Republic has stepped in to absorb displaced tourism demand. The recovery will take years in the hardest-hit areas, but the shift in travel patterns is already reshaping the Caribbean’s winter season.

Jamaica: Devastation and a Slow Road Back

Melissa hit Jamaica’s southwestern coast with a ferocity the island hadn’t seen in 37 years. The storm maintained Category 5 strength for more than 34 continuous hours before landfall, tying with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane on record by sustained wind speed. Satellite imagery after the storm showed swaths of trees stripped bare and most structures destroyed in the hardest-hit areas.

Jamaica’s Energy Minister Daryl Vaz reported that over 70% of electrical customers remained without power on the morning of October 30. More than 130 roads were blocked by trees, debris, and downed power lines. In the coastal town of Black River, over four feet of sand covered more than a mile of roadway. The military called up reserve personnel for relief operations and began clearing roads on foot into isolated communities, with ambulances following behind.

Kingston’s main airport and port reopened on October 30, allowing relief flights and aid to begin arriving. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett estimated that about 60% of the island’s hotel rooms would be available by mid-December, though some resorts — particularly in the devastated western parishes — are not expected to reopen until mid-to-late 2026. Cruise ships carrying roughly 32,000 passengers have already returned, and authorities expect that number to double. Negril, a key tourist hub, officially reopened in late November after Bartlett toured the resort area on November 28.

Montego Bay resident Chevelle Fitzgerald told reporters it took her six hours to drive 174 kilometers (108 miles) to Kingston because of highway closures and fallen trees. Alfred Hines, 77, described floodwaters rising from his waist to his neck in about ten minutes before he escaped. The human toll is matched by the economic one: AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned that tourism — the backbone of Jamaica’s economy — may take years to fully recover, and that full recovery in the hardest-hit communities could take a decade or longer.

Haiti: Flooding Compounds a Pre-existing Crisis

Melissa never made direct landfall in Haiti, but the slow-moving storm dumped days of torrential rain on the country’s already fragile infrastructure. The worst single incident occurred in the southern town of Petit-Goâve, where a river burst its banks, killing at least 25 people. The floodwaters also caved in a section of the national highway connecting to Jacmel — a road that had already been weakened by Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

At least 30 deaths were reported across Haiti overall. Several areas remain inaccessible to rescue teams, raising the risk of a higher final toll. The storm adds another layer of crisis to a country already grappling with political instability and limited emergency management resources.

Cuba: Humanitarian Emergency After Category 3 Strike

Melissa crossed eastern Cuba overnight as a Category 3 hurricane, hitting Santiago province directly. Cuba evacuated 735,000 residents into shelters, which likely prevented any storm-related deaths. But the damage on the ground is severe. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that approximately 2.2 million people were affected across the island.

More than 155,000 homes were damaged, and over 150,000 hectares of crops were lost — a direct blow to the country’s food security. At least 241 communities remained isolated and without communications in the days after the storm, affecting up to 140,000 residents. In Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second-largest city, some 500,000 people were still without electricity, complicating medical care and access to clean water.

The IFRC launched an appeal on October 31 for 15 million Swiss francs (about $18 million) to support the affected population for two years. As of early November, only about 16% of that target had been raised. The first 20 tons of aid arrived by air on November 2, distributed by Cuban Red Cross volunteers. Carlos Pérez Díaz, executive president of the Cuban Red Cross, said efforts fall short, especially in rural and coastal communities.

On the diplomatic front, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. was prepared to offer immediate humanitarian aid to Cuba. Cuban authorities said they were “awaiting clarification on how and in what way they are willing to assist.”

Bermuda: A Near Miss and a Cautious Shutdown

By the time Melissa approached Bermuda on the evening of October 30, it had weakened to a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). The storm was located about 409 kilometers (254 miles) southwest of the island, and its eye was projected to pass to the west — sparing Bermuda a direct hit. Still, authorities closed the causeway Thursday night and shut schools and ferries on Friday “out of an abundance of caution.”

Residents remained calm, and preliminary assessments indicate the island avoided major damage. Weather agencies forecast further weakening, with the storm expected to dissipate into a low-pressure area over open waters.

Dominican Republic: Redirected Tourism Creates a Boom

While Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba grapple with recovery, the Dominican Republic has experienced an immediate surge in tourism demand. Héctor Porcella, president of the country’s Civil Aviation Board, authorized approximately 800 additional flights — both regular and charter — in a single action, spread over an eight-month period that coincides with the peak winter season. Porcella stated that he expected tourists initially bound for Jamaica to redirect to the Dominican Republic.

Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the Association of Hotels and Tourism, confirmed that the country has sufficient capacity to absorb the influx and projected an average occupancy rate exceeding 95% during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Dominican Central Bank data already showed hotel occupancy rising to 63% in October 2025 from 58% in September, before the storm even hit. More than 672,000 tourists arrived by air in October, compared to just over 575,600 in September.

Between January and October 2025, the Dominican Republic welcomed over eight million international visitors, solidifying its position as the leading Caribbean destination by volume. The 800 newly authorized flights are expected to push those numbers even higher as travelers shift their plans away from storm-damaged islands.

Practical Considerations for Winter Travel

The most immediate decision for travelers with existing bookings is whether to cancel, rebook to another island, or wait for recovery. For Jamaica, the government’s official line is that 60% of hotel rooms should be available by mid-December, but that number skews toward Kingston and the less-damaged north coast. Western Jamaica — Negril excepted — will take much longer. Cruise passengers have an easier path: ships are already returning to Jamaican ports.

Cuba and Haiti are not viable tourism destinations for the 2025–2026 winter season. The IFRC’s appeal is only 16% funded, and basic services like electricity and clean water remain unreliable in affected areas. The Dominican Republic is the clear alternative, with confirmed additional flight capacity and hotels reporting availability.

For those with bookings to Bermuda, the storm passed without significant damage, so travel there should proceed as normal. The Bahamas also escaped the worst, though evacuees from some outer islands were still awaiting clearance to return as of early November.

Before You Book — Hurricane Melissa and the Caribbean Winter Season

Is it safe to travel to Jamaica right now?

It depends on where you’re going. Kingston and the north coast are operational, but western Jamaica — where Melissa hit hardest — has limited hotel availability and ongoing power and water issues. Minister Bartlett estimates 60% of rooms will be ready by mid-December, so check with your specific resort before departing.

What should I do if I had a trip booked to Cuba?

Cancel or rebook. Eastern Cuba remains in a humanitarian emergency, with 500,000 people without electricity in Santiago alone and only 16% of the IFRC’s aid appeal funded. Most tourism infrastructure in affected areas will not be operational this winter.

Will the Dominican Republic have enough rooms for all the redirected travelers?

The Association of Hotels and Tourism says yes. They project occupancy above 95% for the holidays, but that still leaves capacity — and the 800 additional flights are spread over eight months, not all at once. Book early if you want specific dates or resorts.

How do I know if my Jamaican resort is reopening?

Contact the property directly or check the Jamaica Tourist Board’s official updates. Some resorts in western Jamaica won’t reopen until mid-to-late 2026. If you’re booked at a resort in Negril, it reopened officially in late November after a ministerial tour.

Is there any risk from leptospirosis for travelers to Jamaica?

Yes, in flood-affected areas. The Ministry of Health has confirmed 11 deaths linked to leptospirosis and more than 90 suspected cases. Avoid contact with floodwater, don’t wade through standing water, and confirm that your accommodation’s water supply is treated. Stick to resorts with confirmed clean water access.

Recovery and Resilience in a Warming Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa was the third-most intense hurricane ever observed in the Caribbean and the slowest-moving, compounding the damage across every island it touched. Scientists point to warming ocean waters from greenhouse gas emissions as a key factor driving faster intensification and greater frequency of storms like this one. Caribbean leaders have renewed calls for wealthy, heavy-polluting nations to provide reparations in the form of aid or debt relief, while a UN fund established in 2023 to help developing nations finance recovery from extreme weather events remains underfunded.

For travelers, the immediate takeaway is practical: the Dominican Republic has emerged as the Caribbean’s most reliable destination this winter, with confirmed flight capacity and open hotels. But the broader picture is one of a region facing a long, uneven recovery — and a reminder that the places we visit are also communities rebuilding from catastrophic loss. If you’re planning a Caribbean trip, consider how your travel choices can support recovery in the destinations that need it most. For a deeper look at how the Dominican Republic became the region’s tourism leader, read our piece on Dominican Republic: Caribbean Tourism Leader.

References

Rappler. “Hurricane Melissa hits Bermuda; Caribbean death toll rises to 44.” October 30, 2025. ↗

AccuWeather. “Latest Update: Melissa Now Making Catastrophic Landfall in Jamaica; Cuba and Bahamas on Alert for Destructive Impacts.” October 2025. ↗

Travel Tomorrow. “Following Hurricane Melissa, the Dominican Republic Takes on Caribbean Tourists.” November 2025. ↗

Meteorología en Red. “Impact of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean and the Shift in Tourism towards the Dominican Republic.” 2025. ↗

If you’re rethinking your Caribbean winter plans, the Dominican Republic offers the most straightforward option this season. Check our guide to affordable luxury island escapes in the Dominican Republic for resort recommendations, or read about new Caribbean hotels opening in 2026 if you’re planning further ahead. For updates on the broader region, our piece on Puerto Rico emerging as a Caribbean gem covers another alternative that was unaffected by Melissa.