Hurricane Melissa Makes Category 5 Landfall Jamaica as US Moves Military Assets Caribbean-wide

Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm and the strongest ever to hit Jamaica, has made landfall with sustained winds of 185 mph, prompting a national state of emergency and significant preparations to protect residents. The United States, which has an increased military presence in the Caribbean targeting drug trafficking, has repositioned seven Navy ships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, and F-35 stealth aircraft to avoid the storm's path while maintaining readiness to continue missions. The hurricane has disrupted US counter-narcotics operations, although recent lethal strikes against suspected traffickers have continued in the Pacific. Cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Disney have rerouted ships to avoid the storm, prioritizing passenger and crew safety. President Donald Trump has expressed concern over the storm's strength and pledged support to assist Jamaica. The extensive damage expected from the hurricane poses a significant challenge to recovery efforts, with the Jamaican government and international entities, including Starlink, mobilizing aid.