On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa unleashed unprecedented destruction upon Jamaica, with sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts reaching 213 mph, rivaling the intensity of an EF5 tornado. Spanning 60 miles in diameter, with tropical storm winds extending an additional 165 miles, Melissa brought wave surges of up to 13 feet and torrential rainfall between 15 to 40 inches. Moving at nine mph, the hurricane subjected residents to seven hours of relentless terror. Despite the catastrophic conditions, many homes survived, sparking questions about their resilience.