Hurricane Risk for Kingston, JM
No tropical storms currently threaten southeast Jamaica. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 114 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Kingston. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Melissa (2025)
Passed within 61 miles of Kingston on October 29, 2025. Peak intensity: Cat 5 (190 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Melissa (2025)
Reached Cat 5 (190 mph) at its peak. Passed within 61 miles of Kingston.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1886)
Passed just 4.9 miles from Kingston on August 20, 1886.
When hurricanes hit Kingston
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Kingston residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa | 2025 | Cat 5 | 61 mi | Oct 29, 2025 |
| Beryl | 2024 | Cat 5 | 46 mi | Jul 03, 2024 |
| Rafael | 2024 | Cat 3 | 104 mi | Nov 05, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 180 mi | Aug 02, 2024 |
| Oscar | 2024 | Cat 1 | 185 mi | Oct 21, 2024 |
| Lisa | 2022 | Cat 1 | 171 mi | Oct 31, 2022 |
| Grace | 2021 | Cat 3 | 20 mi | Aug 17, 2021 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 41 mi | Jul 04, 2021 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 172 mi | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Delta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 109 mi | Oct 05, 2020 |
| Nana | 2020 | Cat 1 | 116 mi | Sep 01, 2020 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 137 mi | Aug 24, 2020 |
| Earl | 2016 | Cat 1 | 124 mi | Aug 02, 2016 |
| Matthew | 2016 | Cat 5 | 161 mi | Oct 04, 2016 |
| Sandy | 2012 | Cat 3 | 14 mi | Oct 24, 2012 |
| Tomas | 2010 | Cat 2 | 98 mi | Nov 05, 2010 |
| Karl | 2010 | Cat 3 | 161 mi | Sep 13, 2010 |
| Gustav | 2008 | Cat 4 | 18 mi | Aug 29, 2008 |
| Dean | 2007 | Cat 5 | 74 mi | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Noel | 2007 | Cat 1 | 196 mi | Oct 30, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 130 mi | Aug 28, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Kingston sits in southeast Jamaica — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.