Caribbean nations, including Jamaica and Cuba, are currently bracing for the landfall of Hurricane Melissa, which has been labelled “the strongest Atlantic storm of 2025.” The Category 5 hurricane is expected to hit Jamaica at full strength on Tuesday after days of torrential rain and high winds. According to The Weather Network, the storm is also forecast to have a significant impact on eastern Cuba. The height of the hurricane is likely to strike the island Wednesday. ‘Both islands will suffer devastating consequences’ As residents of the Caribbean prepare for the possibility of structural failure, landslides, and extensive flooding, their family members across the globe are watching the storm unfold with bated breath. Giselle Britto, who works with Regional Connections in the Pembina Valley and has lived in the area for 17 years, is one of them. Britto is from Cuba, and as the storm surges, her family’s safety, as well as that of the Caribbean nations expected to face significant fallout, is on her mind. “Right now, Cuba and Jamaica are facing a really hard situation,” she said. “[Hurricane] Melissa is not getting any weaker. It is the opposite — it's getting stronger, and both islands are going to suffer devastating consequences.” Even with resilience, this will be a difficult situation Britto added that in Cuba, the hurricane will likely be “very bad” for the country’s population, which has already been facing hurdles due to intermittent power outages and other struggles. In the face of the incoming threat, however, she said that both Caribbean countries have already shown their resilience. In Jamaica, evacuations are underway, and Britto said that given her experience with hurricane preparedness in Cuba, the country is likely following suit. “I think they have done all they can do to face this monster,” she said. “Some may not need this because their houses are in an okay condition, but basically, this is something that we have faced so many times in the past, so we are ready for anything.” Even with the preparations, however, Britto acknowledged that a storm of this magnitude is "going to be hard anyway, no matter what [anyone does]." A sudden contact cut-off Brandygay McKoy, who is from Jamaica and moved to the Pembina Valley after living in Trinidad and Tobago, is also feeling the weight of Hurricane Melissa. “It's kind of nerve-racking, to be honest, because from what I've heard, it's already done damage, but the hurricane hasn't reached Jamaica yet,” she said. “The [electricity] went out already, there's no water currently, and some trees have already been broken down.” McKoy said that she was primarily getting her information from her “best friend” who resides in Jamaica, but she hasn’t received a message since 6 a.m. Tuesday. She suspects that her friend has lost cell service but continues to try to make contact for updates. Facing uncertainty For McKoy, one of the most unsettling aspects of Hurricane Melissa is its uncertainty — while the storm rages, she said there’s no telling what can happen. Other stories: All day rain has Rainwatchers finding full gauges Tuesday morning Local survivor urges others to 'check, detect and defeat’ during Breast Cancer Awareness Month “It could size down, it could grow greater, you don't know,” she said. “I’m just kind of hoping and praying it doesn't do much damage.” 'It is hard already' Back in Cuba, Britto said that one side of her family is in the Camaguey area, which is currently experiencing strong winds and rain, as well as power outages. The other side of her family is near Guantanamo, one of the areas that will see the most impact from Hurricane Melissa. She said that when she checks in with her family, it’s a difficult conversation. “Everybody's very depressed because ... it is hard already,” she said. “There is no power on the island. Basically, Cubans are getting maybe two or three hours of power. Medical assistance is not as it used to be years ago — there is no medicine.” Britto added that Cubans' living conditions are also less than ideal, and the incoming storm further threatens them. “Everybody's very depressed,” she reiterated. “It is not just about a hurricane right now. It’s about what to do after this. How will we survive if we are already facing so many hard times and a lack of everything?” Away from family during a devastating occurrence For Britto, although she said that hurricanes are an unavoidable natural occurrence given the geography of Cuba and Jamaica, it’s nonetheless painful that she can’t be present to support her family during this time. In the end, despite being from different nations, Britto and McKoy agree that although the threat of Hurricane Melissa is chilling, there's a redeeming glimmer of hope: Neither country is navigating a storm of this proportion for the first time. “I hope Cubans can survive this. We have done it so many times before,” said Britto. “We will get through it. I’m sure we will. Jamaica is full of strong people, so I think we will get through it,” echoed McKoy. With files from Robyn Wiebe