Category 5 Hurricane Melissa: Key Updates from October 27, 2025
Jamaica is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, predicted to be one of the most severe storms in the nation’s history. As preparations intensify across the island, communities are taking decisive steps to ensure safety.
Hurricane Melissa: Preparations in Motion
In Montego Bay, the Glendevon Primary School has been transformed into an emergency shelter. Sandra Simon Clarke, the shelter manager, has organized her team to set up mattresses on desks and floors, turning classrooms into makeshift dormitories. Clarke emphasized the perilous nature of the hurricane, saying, “It’s expected to be catastrophic. We urge people to come to the shelter, we are ready; please do not be afraid.”
Residents seeking refuge are advised to bring essential items, including medications, food, and baby diapers.
Safety Measures in Kingston
In Kingston, gas station workers are busy securing fuel tanks as the storm approaches. A video from Reuters captured the workers covering pumps with plastic to protect them from strong winds.
Coastal Concerns in Harbour View
- Susan Brown, a resident of Harbour View, expressed her fears as she watched the relentless waves. “It does not seem safe here,” she noted, citing rising water levels as a concern.
- Another resident, identified as Robert, lives directly by the sea. He worried about the combined threat of wind and storm surge. To protect his home, he has placed sandbags at his door.
- As Robert moves to safer areas further inland, he reflects on the risks many face. Some neighbors prefer to remain in their homes, concerned about potential damage to the coastal roads.
As Hurricane Melissa looms closer, communities in Jamaica are on high alert, ready to face what could be a devastating storm.
