Jamaica has closed its two major international airports and activated more than 650 shelters as Hurricane Melissa
Kingston: Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay were closed on Saturday as Hurricane Melissa, already deadly in parts of the Caribbean, approached the island. Authorities warned the storm could trigger life-threatening floods and landslides, particularly in southern Hispaniola and Jamaica.
The hurricane, moving slowly at 3 mph, was located about 130 miles southeast of Kingston and 260 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. With maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), Melissa had intensified to Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
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Jamaica’s transport minister Daryl Vaz urged travellers to adjust plans and depart the island if possible before the storm’s arrival. Prime Minister Andrew Holness advised residents in flood-prone areas to heed warnings and be ready for evacuations. More than 650 shelters have been opened, with food and supplies prepositioned for distribution.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) forecast rainfall of 15 to 30 inches (38–76 cm) across affected areas, with some isolated regions receiving up to 40 inches. In the Dominican Republic, the storm has already caused fatalities, including a 79-year-old man swept away by a stream, and a 13-year-old boy reported missing.
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November. The last major hurricane to strike Jamaica was Beryl in July 2024, an unusually strong storm for that time of year.
Authorities in Jamaica have taken pre-emptive measures as Hurricane Melissa threatens the Caribbean island. Both of the country’s main international airports—Norman Manley and Sangster International—were closed on October 25 to safeguard passengers and staff. Over 650 shelters were activated, and warehouses stocked with food and emergency supplies were readied.
Melissa, now a Category 3 hurricane, was progressing slowly, increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding and landslides. Emergency operations placed nine of 31 provinces on red alert. Officials stressed that residents in vulnerable zones must evacuate or stay indoors.
The US NHC predicts that Jamaica and southern Hispaniola could receive up to 30 inches of rain, with isolated areas seeing as much as 40 inches, heightening the threat to rivers and slopes. The storm has already caused casualties in Hispaniola. Jamaican authorities continue to monitor Melissa’s trajectory and intensify preparedness measures to minimise damage and loss of life.
Published: 26 Oct 2025, 09:27 am IST
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