In a swift and decisive move, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has successfully evacuated 27 of its nationals studying in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa intensifies. A chartered flight departed Kingston on Saturday evening, October 25, 2025, transporting the students to Turks and Caicos, with a subsequent journey to St. Kitts scheduled for Sunday, October 26. This evacuation underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. For students who chose to remain in Jamaica, the government has collaborated with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Student Association (SKNSA) to ensure their safety. These students are being housed in a secure hotel that meets stringent safety and emergency standards, with university shelters on standby if further precautions are required. The government is also closely monitoring the hurricane’s trajectory across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, maintaining active communication with regional partners and CARICOM institutions. Nationals in affected areas are urged to stay vigilant, adhere to local authorities’ guidance, and maintain contact with their respective embassies. For additional support, individuals can reach out to Ms. Karyl Woods, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Student Association, or the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Cuba, led by Ambassador H.E. Verna Mills.
分类： world
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Belizean Students in Jamaica Brace for Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 165 mph, approaches Jamaica, Belizean students on the island are making urgent preparations. The hurricane, one of the most powerful in Jamaica’s history, is expected to make landfall tonight, bringing catastrophic rainfall of 15 to 30 inches and triggering flash floods and landslides. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica reported that the storm’s center is currently 230 kilometers southwest of Kingston, moving slowly at 6 km/h before turning northward. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that the time for preparation is over, urging residents and international students to follow safety instructions and conserve water. Belizean law student Isareli Cal shared her struggles in securing supplies, noting that stores were running out of essentials. While the Belizean consulate has offered shelter to off-campus students, many, like Cal, are relying on personal resources and family support. The Belizean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has pledged post-storm assistance to students. As the island braces for impact, the international community watches with concern.
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Jamaica in hoogste staat van paraatheid, doden al in Haïti
Hurricane Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm, barreling toward Jamaica with sustained winds exceeding 260 km/h. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued dire warnings of life-threatening storm surges reaching up to 4 meters, torrential rainfall of up to 1 meter, and prolonged exposure to destructive winds and waves due to the storm’s slow trajectory. This unprecedented weather event is being described as one of the most severe to ever threaten the island. Evacuations have been ordered across Jamaica’s southern coast, particularly in low-lying areas such as Port Royal, Clarendon, and Saint Elizabeth. Over 800 emergency shelters have been activated to accommodate displaced residents. Authorities are urging the public to heed evacuation orders and remain in safe zones. The storm’s effects are already being felt in Jamaica, with powerful winds and surging floodwaters causing widespread disruption. Meanwhile, in neighboring Haiti, Hurricane Melissa has claimed at least three lives due to landslides, collapsing walls, and severe flooding exacerbated by heavy rainfall. The country’s already fragile infrastructure has worsened the crisis, leaving communities vulnerable to further devastation.
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IOM formulating early response for Jamaica awaiting Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has swiftly initiated early response measures to bolster the nation’s preparedness and safeguard vulnerable populations. The IOM is collaborating with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of essential relief and protection services to communities most at risk. Meteorological forecasts predict severe weather conditions, prompting urgent action to mitigate potential devastation. The organization’s proactive strategy emphasizes disaster risk reduction, emergency shelter provision, and the protection of displaced individuals. This coordinated effort underscores the IOM’s commitment to supporting Jamaica in navigating the challenges posed by the impending hurricane, while prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Winds intensify in downtown Kingston
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa has unleashed its fury on Jamaica, making landfall in the island’s southwest region early Tuesday morning. As the storm traversed the island, its ferocity became increasingly evident, particularly in eastern parishes such as Kingston, where winds intensified significantly. By Tuesday evening, downtown Kingston bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact, with powerful waves inundating the shoreline and uprooted trees littering the streets. The hurricane, which initially struck around 11 a.m., is projected to move offshore by late Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as the storm’s aftermath continues to unfold.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Gusty winds and rain still expected as Melissa moves away from Jamaica
As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, begins to recede from Jamaica, residents are warned to remain vigilant against persistent hazardous conditions. Rohan Brown, a representative from the Meteorological Service, emphasized during a press briefing that damaging hurricane-force winds are expected to persist, particularly in regions such as St James, Trelawny, sections of St Ann, and Hanover. The remainder of the island is forecasted to experience tropical storm-force winds and gusts. Additionally, scattered showers, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall are anticipated in St James, Hanover, St Elizabeth, and parts of St Ann, while other areas may encounter light to moderate showers accompanied by strong gusty winds. Coastal areas are not spared, with rough seas and dangerous waves predicted along the south coast, and a storm surge of two to four feet expected on the North Coast. Although the eye of Hurricane Melissa was projected to move offshore by 5:00 pm, Brown cautioned that the storm’s eyewall and spiral bands would continue to bring heavy winds and scattered showers as the hurricane progresses.
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USS Gravely welcomes Lochmaben RC students aboard
The USS Gravely, a US naval vessel, has been actively fostering US-Trinidad and Tobago (TT) relations through a series of collaborative initiatives. Docked at the Port of Spain since October 26, the ship is part of a joint training exercise with the TT Defence Force (TTDF), aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation. On October 27, 35 students and 15 teachers from the Lochmaben Roman Catholic School in Cedros were given an exclusive tour of the ship, hosted by the vessel’s sailors and leadership. This visit underscores the longstanding partnership between the US and TT, as highlighted by the US Embassy in a recent news release. The USS Gravely’s presence in TT is part of the US Southern Command’s (US Southcom) broader efforts to strengthen ties with the Caribbean nation. Earlier this year, US Navy Seabees completed critical infrastructure upgrades at the Lochmaben RC School during Operation Continuing Promise, which included structural repairs and improvements to water, sewage, and electrical systems. In September, US Southcom, through the US Embassy, donated educational materials and equipment to the school, including 13 computers, a printer, office furniture, and other resources to enhance learning opportunities. Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, US Embassy chargé d’affaires, emphasized the significance of the USS Gravely tour, calling it a testament to the deep ties between the US and TT. She noted the enthusiasm of the students and teachers, describing their presence on board as a delight for the sailors. Beverley Findley, principal of Lochmaben RC School, expressed gratitude for the US Embassy’s support, describing the tour as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ that broadened students’ horizons. The USS Gravely’s visit follows other US Southcom engagements in TT this year, including the USNS Comfort’s medical and humanitarian mission in August and the Tradewinds exercise co-hosted with the TTDF in April and May.
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Oh Jamaica, Jamaica!
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, memories of past storms like Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 resurface, highlighting the stark contrast between then and now. In 1988, the internet was in its infancy, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality were mere science fiction. Today, the digital age provides real-time updates and harrowing images of Melissa’s impending impact, amplifying the sense of urgency and fear. The Caribbean, often referred to as a ‘zone of peace,’ now faces a critical test of its unity and mutual cooperation. Jamaica, no stranger to hurricanes, is bracing for the storm, but concerns linger about the nation’s ability to withstand the devastation, particularly in impoverished and underdeveloped areas. The author reflects on the disproportionate impact natural disasters have on the most vulnerable populations and calls for solidarity among Caribbean nations. Trinidad and Tobago’s response to Jamaica’s plight post-Melissa will be a litmus test for regional cooperation, especially as the country pursues its own economic agenda. The letter concludes with a heartfelt plea for Jamaica’s safety and recovery, underscoring the fragility of human resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
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#EyeOnMelissa: Eye of Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in New Hope, Westmoreland
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Melissa unleashed its fury on Jamaica as its eye began impacting the island at 11:00 am. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service), the storm’s core officially made landfall at 12:02 pm in New Hope, Westmoreland, with staggering wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. The hurricane has triggered widespread devastation, particularly along the island’s south coast, with severe flooding and significant property damage reported in St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland, and St James. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to remain indoors as the situation is anticipated to deteriorate further. Emergency response teams are on high alert, but the extreme weather conditions are hampering rescue and relief efforts.
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#EyeOnMelissa: St Ann feeling wrath of Category 5 storm
As Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 5 storm, approached Jamaica, the residents of Priory in St Ann were already grappling with its early impacts. Evadney Mills, a local resident, shared her ordeal with Observer Online, revealing that her son’s roof had been torn off by the storm’s fierce winds on Monday night. Mills was en route to a hardware store to purchase zinc for urgent repairs, stopping briefly at a gas station to refuel. The Boot gas station in Mamee Bay, St Ann, became a temporary refuge for many preparing for the storm’s full force. Mills described the weather conditions as increasingly severe, with strong winds and heavy waves battering the area. Despite the visible damage, including fallen trees and scattered debris, Mills expressed gratitude for their safety. A large tree near a busy roundabout in St Ann had partially collapsed, though the road remained passable. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued continuous warnings, urging residents to prepare for sustained winds, torrential rainfall, and potential flooding as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall.