What happened
On 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, caused severe damage and flooding across the Caribbean. As it passed through Jamaica, it hit one of MSC’s greenhouses.
The greenhouse was an MSC K3 model with special reinforcement: extra-thick columns, vertical trusses and reinforced end walls. It was designed to withstand winds of up to 180 km/h, and it came through the hurricane without significant damage to the structure.
Why the design works
MSC’s design department has more than 35 years of experience with Caribbean conditions. It developed the K3 for tropical and subtropical climates. Combined with thermal-control plastics and shade screens, the K3 is rated for winds above 130 km/h.
Preparing a greenhouse for a cyclone
MSC’s checklist aims to leave only the structure standing, with as little as possible for the wind to catch:
- Keep workers and visitors safe, and plan evacuation routes to the nearest shelter
- Close and secure doors and vents
- Prune trees that could fall on the structure, and clear drains and ditches
- Harvest as much of the crop as possible
- Remove plastic, mesh and thermal screens so air can pass through the frame
- Secure or remove anything loose or movable, and turn off the power
- Store irrigation lines, pumps, control panels and machinery
What it means for Australia
Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia face the same kind of tropical cyclones. We specify MSC structures to your site’s wind region under AS/NZS 1170.2, including the cyclonic regions C and D.