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The World Meteorological Organization WMO has officially retired the name Melissa from its rotating list of Atlantic hurricane names, following the catastrophic impact of the storm across parts of the Caribbean in October 2025.
The announcement came from the WMO’s Hurricane Committee, which confirmed that Molly will replace Melissa on the Atlantic naming roster, taking effect from the 2031 hurricane season.
At its peak, Hurricane Melissa reached Category 5 intensity, with life-threatening winds estimated at approximately 300 km/h. The storm wrought severe damage in Jamaica and Cuba, generating destructive winds and storm surges, while torrential rainfall led to extensive flooding in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba.
The hurricane claimed the lives of more than 90 people across Jamaica, Haiti, and other Caribbean territories, leaving communities grappling with widespread devastation.
