As Hurricane Melissa pounds Jamaica, what does it mean for South Carolina?
Hurricane Melissa is spinning towards Jamaica, with forecasters expecting a “catastrophic landfall” by midday Tuesday. Hurricane and tropical storm impacts are also expected across many countries in the Caribbean in the coming days. As the storm exits the Caribbean on Thursday, it will pass offshore and not bring significant impacts to South Carolina.
Meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center say that Melissa has sustained winds near 180 mph, making it a Category 5 hurricane. Wind speeds will likely remain the same as the storm makes landfall in Jamaica. Rainfall will likely reach up to 30 inches in parts of Jamaica, with other areas of Hispaniola experiencing up to 12 inches in the coming days. A storm surge of up to 13 feet above ground level is possible on the southern coast of Jamaica.
South Carolina will largely escape this storm unscathed as Melissa continues moving northeast in the coming days. Current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center show the storm moving far offshore Thursday and Friday.
While hurricanes often produce dangerous rip currents when they’re far offshore, Cuba is currently blocking any swells produced by Melissa from reaching the state. Other conditions have led to a high rip current risk along the South Carolina coast Tuesday morning.
As Melissa moves out of the Caribbean later this week it will weaken from its Category 5 state, but still be strong enough to produce swells and rip currents on area beaches. Friday, Oct. 31 is the last day the National Weather Service in Charleston issues rip current statements for the year, according to the National Weather Service office in Charleston.
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM.
