Jamaica Orders Mass Evacuations as Record Breaking Hurricane Melissa Nears Landfall
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued across Jamaica’s coastal and low-lying areas as Hurricane Melissa, now the strongest storm of 2025, bears down on the island. Authorities have urged residents to leave immediately, warning that conditions could soon become too dangerous for emergency crews to assist anyone who remains behind.
The Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour, is expected to bring catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall and life threatening storm surges to Jamaica’s southern and eastern coasts. Meteorologists have warned that the storm’s slow movement could intensify its impact, leading to severe flooding, landslides and widespread power outages across several parishes.
Among the areas ordered to evacuate are sections of Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Thomas and Clarendon, where authorities fear a combination of storm surge and heavy rainfall could inundate entire communities. The government has activated its emergency operations center and opened hundreds of shelters nationwide to accommodate evacuees. Buses and trucks have been deployed to assist those without transportation, especially in fishing villages and informal settlements near the coast.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness appealed to citizens to take the warnings seriously, emphasizing that saving lives was the top priority. He urged people not to wait until the last minute, as rising waters and blocked roads could make escape impossible once the storm makes landfall. “This hurricane is unlike anything we’ve seen in recent history,” Holness said during an emergency briefing in Kingston. “The window for safe evacuation is closing rapidly.”
Residents spent much of the weekend securing homes, boarding up windows and stocking supplies. Long lines were reported at supermarkets and petrol stations as people rushed to prepare before the storm’s arrival. In Port Royal and Bull Bay, police and soldiers went door to door to ensure compliance with evacuation orders, while volunteers helped move the elderly and disabled to safer ground. Meteorologists predict rainfall of up to 100 centimeters in some areas, with storm surges reaching as high as four meters along parts of the south coast. Experts warn that prolonged rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas where the ground is already saturated.
Emergency services have cautioned that once Hurricane Melissa hits full force, rescue operations will be suspended until conditions improve. Residents who cannot leave have been advised to seek shelter in interior rooms, away from windows and to keep emergency supplies and communication devices close at hand. The Jamaican government has stressed that compliance with evacuation orders will be strictly enforced, describing the storm as a potentially historic disaster. For now, officials and citizens alike are racing against time, hoping that early action will save lives before Hurricane Melissa makes its expected landfall.
