Hurricane Risk for Montego Bay, JM
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Since 1851, 121 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Montego Bay. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Melissa (2025)
Passed within 20 miles of Montego Bay on October 28, 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 20 miles of Montego Bay.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1912)
Passed just 7.1 miles from Montego Bay on November 20, 1912.
When hurricanes hit Montego Bay
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 Montego Bay residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa | 2025 | Cat 5 | 20 mi | Oct 28, 2025 |
| Beryl | 2024 | Cat 5 | 54 mi | Jul 04, 2024 |
| Rafael | 2024 | Cat 3 | 72 mi | Nov 05, 2024 |
| Debby | 2024 | Cat 1 | 149 mi | Aug 02, 2024 |
| Grace | 2021 | Cat 3 | 35 mi | Aug 17, 2021 |
| Elsa | 2021 | Cat 1 | 60 mi | Jul 04, 2021 |
| Ida | 2021 | Cat 4 | 129 mi | Aug 26, 2021 |
| Laura | 2020 | Cat 4 | 119 mi | Aug 24, 2020 |
| Nana | 2020 | Cat 1 | 127 mi | Sep 01, 2020 |
| Delta | 2020 | Cat 4 | 144 mi | Oct 05, 2020 |
| Earl | 2016 | Cat 1 | 153 mi | Aug 02, 2016 |
| Sandy | 2012 | Cat 3 | 94 mi | Oct 24, 2012 |
| Karl | 2010 | Cat 3 | 156 mi | Sep 13, 2010 |
| Tomas | 2010 | Cat 2 | 177 mi | Nov 05, 2010 |
| Gustav | 2008 | Cat 4 | 35 mi | Aug 29, 2008 |
| Paloma | 2008 | Cat 4 | 133 mi | Nov 08, 2008 |
| Ike | 2008 | Cat 4 | 181 mi | Sep 08, 2008 |
| Dean | 2007 | Cat 5 | 68 mi | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Noel | 2007 | Cat 1 | 164 mi | Oct 30, 2007 |
| Ernesto | 2006 | Cat 1 | 181 mi | Aug 28, 2006 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Montego Bay sits in northwestern 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.