MONTEGO BAY, JA. — Residents and visitors across Jamaica are bracing for Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and the threat of flooding and landslides.
The storm has already drenched parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Strong winds are expected to reach Jamaica overnight and intensify through the weekend.
“I wasn’t afraid, but now I am,” said Karine Radatovic, a visitor from Europe who decided to cut her vacation short. “Now I’m feeling good because I’m going home. I love so much Jamaica and Jamaican people. I hope so much everything is going to be OK.”
Jamaica’s government has opened shelters across the island and brought in more than 50 generators to prepare for possible power outages. Officials warned Friday that Melissa could bring life-threatening flooding, landslides and widespread damage.
There was an eerie calm along Jamaica’s north coast Friday evening, with light winds and calm waves as residents hurried to prepare before conditions worsen.
“We are a country that prays,” said Sherrick Davis, a Kingston resident. “Hurricanes tend to not hit us directly.”
But others said the forecast left them uneasy.
“We’re very anxious right now,” said Marsha Anderson, who works in the tourism industry. “We normally stock up with food. Now we’re making an extra effort. Based on the reports, it seems like it’s going to be a really crazy storm.”
“It’s moving a bit slow, which is a bit concerning,” said Khris-Ann Chambers from Montego Bay.
Visitors and residents alike are taking precautions.
Melvin Girard, visiting from Toronto, Canada, said hotel workers have piled sandbags to block potential floodwaters.
“This one seems a little steady, and straight. I’m a little nervous about that,” he said.
When asked about messages from family back home, Girard said, “At home, they’re all worried. They’re all texting and emailing me. They’re concerned.”
Heavy rainfall has already hit parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Strong winds are expected to strike Jamaica overnight and intensify through the weekend.
Jamaican leaders warned Friday that Melissa could produce life-threatening flooding, landslides, and power outages.
“A very beautiful name … but I’m not quite sure it’s a beautiful storm,” one official said.
“At the end of the day, for my family… be prepared, have your supplies ready,” said Chambers.
In Kingston, traffic was bumper-to-bumper as residents stocked up and prepared.
Sherrick Davis said his message to loved ones is simple: “Just to pray and have faith that God will ensure that we are safe.”
Shelters have opened across the island, and non-essential government offices have closed. Officials are urging residents to prepare for possible power outages and severe weather over the coming days.
As the storm closes in, Jamaican leaders are urging residents to stay indoors, prepare for outages and take the warnings seriously. They also issued an order against price gouging as people stock up on critical supplies ahead of the storm.
“At the end of the day, for my family — be prepared, have your supplies ready,” Chambers said.
You said:
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
