Hurricane Melissa is history, but its torrential rains and record-book-worthy Category 5 destructive winds spread damage through the Caribbean.
USA TODAY reported that officials across the region said they expected the death toll to rise as they verified reported and continued searching for missing people. By Thursday night, at least 50 deaths in Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic had been attributed to the storm. In Jamaica, 19 deaths had been confirmed.
In the final Melissa advisory Friday, Oct. 31, the National Hurricane Center reported that the storm dropped into post-tropical cyclone status. Melissa was no longer on tracking maps by early Nov. 1, the first day of the final month of hurricane season.
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All advisories and warnings were dropped early Nov. 1.
Hurricane Melissa was the 13th named storm, the fifth hurricane, the fourth major hurricane, the third Category 5 hurricane and the most powerful hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, so far. The next named storm of the season would be Nestor.
Here’s the National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlook as of 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1.
Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?
There is no tropical cyclone activity expected in the next seven days, according to NHC forecasters.
What’s out in the Atlantic basin now to watch?
Forecasters in the National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Weather discussion are tracking one tropical wave near Africa. It was moving swiftly westward, with its axis along 65W south of 22N, at 23 mph. Scattered moderate convection is noted from 14N to 18N between 60.5W and 68.5W.
Scenes of damage from Hurricane Melissa
See map of watches, warnings issued for Florida
When does hurricane season end in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
Warnings and watches
There are no current hurricane warnings or watches for Melissa.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Hurricane names for 2025 season
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them. The first hurricane of the season typically forms Aug. 11.
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
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Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Jeanine Santucci, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: When does hurricane season end? National Hurricane Center outlook post-Melissa
Reporting by John Gallas and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
