WMO Retires Hurricane Melissa Name
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Mar 04, 2026 · Last updated Mar 05, 2026
The retirement of Hurricane Melissa's name highlights the severe economic and human cost of extreme weather events, particularly for Caribbean nations like Jamaica. This event underscores the increasing risks associated with tropical cyclones, which can significantly impact insurance markets, tourism, and agricultural sectors in affected regions.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially retired the name Melissa from its Atlantic hurricane list following the deadly and destructive Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The storm reached Category 5 strength, with winds of about 300 km/h, causing devastating storm surge and destructive winds in Jamaica and Cuba, and widespread flooding in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa was responsible for over 90 deaths across the Caribbean and became the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in Jamaica, tying with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. The storm caused at least $8.8 billion in damage in Jamaica alone. The World Meteorological Organization's Hurricane Committee selected Molly as the replacement name, which will appear on the Atlantic naming list starting in 2031. Officials from the World Meteorological Organization and the United States===National Hurricane Center emphasized the importance of accurate forecasts and early warnings in saving lives and protecting key economic sectors.
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