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Monster Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Bears Down on Jamaica; Trump Attending Reception With Business Leaders in Tokyo; 18th-Inning H.R. Lifts Dodgers in Game Three. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired October 28, 2025 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Breaking now, Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm on Earth this year, set to make landfall shortly, staggering winds of more than 175 miles per hour that could lead to total structural failure.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning looming layoffs. 14,000 workers targeted for layoffs at Amazon, and that number could double. The role A.I. is playing in those big cuts to the corporate workforce.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And if you were able to stay up for the longest World Series game ever, why are you awake right now? Just kidding. History was made with the Dodgers defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18th, yes, 18th inning walk-off homer.

I'm Kate Bolduan with John Berman and Sara Sidner. This is CNN News Central.

BERMAN: All right. The breaking news this morning, we have a live look from Jamaica bracing for a direct hit from Hurricane Melissa, this monster Category 5 storm that is already the most powerful storm on earth this year. Melissa is expected to make landfall within hours, but conditions are getting worse with the outer bands hitting even as we speak.

The new updated track shows Melissa about 115 miles west southwest of the capital, Kingston, with maximum sustained winds of an astonishing 175 miles per hour.

Now, along with the catastrophic winds that were expected flash flooding, life-threatening storm surge of up to 13 feet and landslides. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered along parts of the coast. U.S. Air Force hurricane hunters have been inside the eye of the storm. The National Hurricanes Center warns the eye wall could bring total structural failure to Jamaica, especially at higher elevations. The storm is already blamed for at least seven deaths in the Caribbean, including three in Jamaica.

CNN"s Derek Van Dam live in Kingston this morning with the latest. Derek, what are you seeing so far?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, John. We are nearing the inevitable landfall of the strongest hurricane to ever strike this island nation. No one on Jamaica will be spared from the fury of Hurricane Melissa as it comes on shore in the coming hours, this slow, agonizing pace of about three to five miles per hour that is just going to prolong the misery across this country.

We are in Kingston National Weather Service, very strong wording about complete structural failure communication, power outages for days and isolation of communities possible.

Here in Kingston, you can see the winds picking up in the background. The rain has really come in earnest throughout the course of the night, trying to get a couple of hours of sleep to prepare for our day today. My windows were rattling last night as the Norman Manley International Airport, which is within sight of the balcony of our hotel, reported gusts of 58 miles per hour. That was well -- the storm is well offshore of where I'm located, 115 miles to be precise.

But the core of those inner eye wall winds, the strongest part of this Cat 5 hurricane, is about 30 miles in diameter. And where it will make landfall is so critical. We say this a lot, it's a game of miles now as we take that final approach into the south coast of Jamaica. We're thinking maybe the St. Elizabeth Parish Treasure Beach, the Mandeville Region. If you look on a map of Jamaica, you'll see it.

What makes the terrain here so susceptible is a lot of people, a lot of communities live in these lowly areas that are prone to flash flooding, mudslides, and landslides. So, Kingston itself sits in a bowl surrounded by mountains that tower over 7,000 feet. And when the water falls in those mountain and here on the ground, it's going to be met with an opposing force of the storm surge from Hurricane Melissa. And those opposing forces are going to work against each other and make that water rise up right along those coastlines where unfortunately there still are people located.

You can see -- I want to pan up here quickly just with my cameraman. We do already have a couple of side structural damages on the side of our building here and we're really just getting going. So, we're going to monitor that, keep in a safe place. We do have the ability to get indoors very quickly but conditions will be going downhill and we are thinking and praying for the people of Jamaica. It is going to be an unthinkable day here on this island nation. John?

BERMAN: A treacherous combination going into that recipe down there.

Derek Van Dam in Kingston, where it will get progressively worse, you and your team please stay safe.

[07:05:00]

Sara?

SIDNER: Yes. Already seeing a little bit of damage there and the storm hasn't even made full landfall yet.

CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar tracking the catastrophic storm this morning. Allison, what can we expect next from Melissa as we're seeing those outer bands hitting Jamaica already?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right. So, you're really just going to start to see those conditions deteriorate rapidly over the next few hours because landfall is expected in just a few hours from now.

The center of the storm is still just south of Jamaica. It's moving to the north northeast at about five miles per hour. That's still incredibly slow, albeit double the speed. It's been moving for most of the overnight hours, so at least a little bit of improvement there. Then it will continue to slide its way off to the north.

But it is expected to make landfall as a very powerful Category 5 storm gradually, and I mean very gradually weakening as it continues to slide up to the north over portions of Eastern Cuba, then the Bahamas, before finally making it back out over open water.

Rainfall is certainly going to be the biggest concern with this system, not just from the flooding aspect, but also the landslides and the mudslide component that go right along with it. Here, you can see all of those outer bands stretching across not just Jamaica, but a lot of the other neighboring island nations as well.

Here's a look at the overall totals. You'll see a lot of red and pink color on this map indicating widespread 6 to 12 inches of rain. That may not sound like all that much, but what you have to understand is half a foot has already fallen across many of these areas. So, we're just talking about adding to that total.

Some of these spots could end up topped out at more than 20 inches of rain before the system finally exits the area. That's one impact. Now, we also have the wind component because it is still a very powerful Category 5 storm. You've got those wind gusts well over a hundred miles per hour. So, as the storm continues to make its way landfall over Jamaica and then heading up towards Cuba, it's still going to have very powerful winds. Even if the storm does weaken, it's still going to have very strong winds across some of these other countries, like Cuba and the Bahamas.

Keep in mind too, that when you have that saturated ground, it doesn't take much to bring down trees and power lines. Even a 50 or 60-mile- per-hour wind is more than enough to bring those things down.

SIDNER: It is terrifying just looking at it. And Jamaica has never experienced a storm like this before. I know you will be watching the trajectory of this and our Derek Van Dam and crews on the ground. We'll be talking to them throughout the day.

Allison Chinchar, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Throughout the day, throughout the hours of this show watching very closely, we're going to be staying close to the island.

Also this, just released, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee now wants President Biden's pardons signed by Autopen deemed null and void, and they're releasing an investigation, their own investigation, as they ask the Justice Department to weigh in.

Today, air traffic controllers across the country are missing their first full paycheck since the shutdown set in. They've already been -- there have already been significant delays at airports across the country that we have been tracking. But is it about to get worse?

And a high speed chase, a suspect accused of killing a deputy, then flees on a motorcycle, and it all ended with a major crash on a freeway. What authorities are saying about this now this morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

BOLDUAN: So, happening right now, this is a live look at President Trump in Japan, meeting with business leaders, speaking with to them right now on what's become one of the busiest days of his visit to Asia. He spent the day really with the country's newly elected leader, Prime Minister Takaichi. And as he spoke to thousands of U.S. troops aboard the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base, he praised the prime minister and invited her to the stage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: This woman is a winner.

I have such respect for Japan and the country, and now I have a really great respect for the new and incredible prime minister, and I have to say this, the first female prime minister.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: CNN's Kristen Holmes, traveling with the president in Tokyo for us. Kristen, it really turned out to be a busy day for the president and what seems a very -- a new friendship with the Japanese prime minister.

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. And much of this was a show of force. It was a show of force on a number of fronts, both economic, as well as military and just the idea of a show of force of unity with the country and the region. I mean, we know already that the U.S. had a strong relationship with Japan, but this is really to solidify that, to show how strong that was ahead of President Trump's meeting with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping.

One of the things to keep in mind here is that President Trump made a series of announcements, which are all really made to set the table ahead of this meeting. One of them being, he announced that missiles were being sent from the United States to Japan, to Japan forces. That was a military show of strength. You saw him speaking there in front of those troops. He also announced a series of economic deals and included $10 billion, a deal from Toyota. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I want to thank Japan because Japan is making big investments into the United States.

And I was just told by the prime minister that Toyota is going to be putting auto plants all over the United States to the tune of over $10 billion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[07:15:00]

HOLMES: Now, in addition to that, they signed a rare minerals deal. Now, keep in mind, this, again, is aimed at China. We know that the United States, the president has been trying to distance himself from China trying to become less dependent when it comes to China for these rare earth minerals. We also saw another show of force in terms of the economy when it came to talking about a number of investments beyond Toyota that were roughly to the tune of $490 or $430 billion.

So, again, President Trump is gearing up, trying to show strength as he heads into this meeting with the Chinese president, who, for all intents and purposes, has had somewhat of an upper hand going into it.

BOLDUAN: Kristen Holmes, thanks for being there. I appreciate it. John?

BERMAN: All right. Sweeping layoffs at Amazon, there are reports that could reach up to 30,000 employees by the time it's done. What's behind the huge reduction and what it says about the overall economy?

And then it almost literally just ended, tying the record for the most innings in a World Series game ever. It had everything, from Shohei Ohtani rewriting the record books to, of course, a walk-off home run.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's over, baby. It's over.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: You think it's finally over?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I want to go home and sleep.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: Game three of the World Series was one for the history books. The Los Angeles Dodgers needed 18 innings, yes, 18, to beat the Toronto Blue Jay 6-5.

[07:20:06]

And it all ended with one swing from the 2024 World Series MVP, Freddie Freeman.

CNN's Andy Scholes was at Dodgers Stadium through it all.

SCHOLES: Well, what a night here in la. All of these fans, they grinded through this game. They actually had to reopen concession stands at one point. They had two seven-inning stretches. They had another one in the 14th inning. But in the end, these fans, they got to see an amazing win and another epic performance from Shohei Ohtani.

After doubling in the first inning to lead off for the Dodgers, Ohtani was up again in the third, and he launched this one for a solo home run. It was his second of the series. That made it 2-0 Dodgers. Then with a runner on Ohtani, an RBI double in the fifth, the Dodgers, they would tie this game at four later in the inning on an RBI single from Freddie Freeman.

Now the Blue Jays would retake the lead, but then guess who? Ohtani again, another solo home run ties the game at five. Ohtani four for four, two doubles, and two home runs at that point.

We'd go all the way to the 18th ending tying the World Series record, which was set by the Dodgers and Red Sox back in 2018, and Freddie Freeman finally ends it, the reigning World Series MVP, with the walk- off home run. Dodgers win in 18 final, 6-5.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you grind and fight in our bullpen and our pitching staff did what they did to have that go six hours and 40 minutes or so, that's as good as it gets.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: The game ended up lasting six hours and 39 minutes. And needless to say, all the fans couldn't have been happier when Freddie ended it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Can you believe it's over?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's over, baby. It's over.

SCHOLES: Do you think it's finally over?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I want to go home and sleep.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: And not going to be a lot of rest for Shohei Ohtani. He's going to be on the mound starting for the Dodgers in game four later on Tuesday. But just what a game we had here Monday night in L.A., one these fans will never forget, the media as well. That was certainly the longest game I've ever been to in my life.

Back to you.

BERMAN: All right. The breaking news, Hurricane Melissa is set to make landfall catastrophic 175 mile-per-hour winds in deadly storm surge up to 13 feet. We'll try to show you how much that is. And for the first time, no paycheck for air traffic controllers today due to the government shutdown. What this means for them and what it means for your flight seat.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:010]

BOLDUAN: With Hurricane Melissa, forecasters are predicting rains measured in feet, not inches, and warning of life-threatening storm surge levels along the southern coast of Jamaica throughout the day today.

The way the National Hurricane Center put it last night is failure to take immediate action may result in injury or significant loss of life. What they're talking about is in some low lying areas between 9 to 13 feet of storm surge. And what that could look like for so many people in Jamaica right now is this, at about two feet of storm surge, low lying coastal roads begin to flood and become impassable. At five to eight feet, cars become submerged. You cannot drive through that.

And Hurricane Melissa, as I said, is expected to bring up to 13 feet in some areas. 10 feet of storm surge is taller than a city bus. The average first floor of a building is typically around 14 feet high. And now, you can see why experts are so worried. And when the forecast could look like what we have here, it's clear why officials are saying, do not venture out of safe shelter.

And joining us right now are two people stuck in this, Maritza Caver- Blake and Maurice Blake, forced to ride out the storm in Jamaica after their flight home to Arkansas, canceled like so many people. Maritza. Maurice, thank you guys for being here.

You are there celebrating your tenth wedding anniversary, Maritza. How are things going? How does it feel at your hotel right now? What are you being told?

MARITZA CAVER-BLAKE, STUCK IN JAMAICA DURING WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TRIP: As of right now, we just lost power and it just came back up. As of right now, we're getting a notification that they're en route to come and get us to take us to the storm shelter.

BOLDUAN: And what are they telling you about the storm shelter and how preparations, how they are preparing as a resort and hotel for what's coming?

CAVER-BLAKE: They closed down a restaurant here and put bedding and boarded it up everywhere and made sure that beds and everything, they have food and snacks and all of that. They told everyone to pack in an emergency bag so that we will have that and all our important documents.

BOLDUAN: And, Maurice, you're near Montego Bay, the other side of the island from Kingston. Officials have been concerned of people not being prepared enough for what is setting in. When was the last time you guys were able to get outside? What does it look like? What are you seeing outside your hotel room right now?

MAURICE BLAKE, STUCK IN JAMAICA DURING WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TRIP: Right now we're seeing heavy winds and rain. The last time we were out, we went to dinner yesterday at 8:30. They put everybody on lockdown at 9:00.

[07:30:01]

So, everybody had to be back in their room and report back to them and let them know that we made it back to our room safely.