STORY: The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the "Hurricane Hunters," flew through Hurricane Melissa on Monday (October 27) to collect vital data for the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 175 mph (282 kph), threatens Jamaica with catastrophic damage as it approaches.

Melissa, described as "catastrophic" by the NHC, is expected to hit Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday before moving across eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

Forecasters warned of unprecedented winds, up to three feet of rain, and widespread destruction, exacerbated by the storm's slow movement over warm Caribbean waters.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness ordered evacuations for southern Jamaica, including Port Royal, but some residents resisted due to looting concerns. "There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5," Holness said, as the island braces for devastating impacts.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VIEW OF THE EYE WALL OF HURRICANE MELISSA

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: IN AIR / OVER THE CARIBBEAN (OCTOBER 27, 2025) (DVIDS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS SHOTS OF A U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE CREW FROM THE 53RD WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, THE “HURRICANE HUNTERS,” FLYING THROUGH HURRICANE MELISSA, COLLECTING CRITICAL DATA FOR THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER