When Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, videos of flooded streets, collapsed homes, and terrified families spread across social media within minutes. But behind the dramatic posts was a deeper truth: Melissa wasn’t just another Hurricane. It was a warning. Scientists report that the storm was approximately 7% stronger because of climate change, a catastrophic increase, and it raised concerns about the strength of future hurricanes.

As ocean temperatures rise, Hurricanes gain more energy. Warm water fuels stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more destructive power. Because the planet continues to heat up, storms like Melissa are becoming more intense and unpredictable.

To grasp public opinion I interviewed Josue Torres, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, who shared his perspective on the disaster. Torres explained that he had heard about Hurricane Melissa and understood the seriousness of the situation. He explains “It was a Category 5 landfall in Jamaica. It was sad and scary because many people died and everything was destroyed. So many houses were damaged,”. 

Torres also commented about the TikTok videos explaining that some individuals were making jokes during the storm. He noted that while the videos may have seemed funny, the lack of seriousness was troubling considering the real loss of life. “They weren’t taking it seriously they were playing around and joking. Honestly, they should’ve been more serious since around 40 people died from the hurricane,” he added.

The contrast between the devastation on the ground and the light hearted reaction online highlights how easily the severity of storms can be misunderstood. As climate change continues to worsen extreme weather, experts warn that future hurricanes may only grow stronger.

Hurricane Melissa serves as a powerful reminder of the growing impact of a warming planet. If climate change continues unchecked, the hurricanes of the future might be worse than the ones seen recently