With Hurricane Melissa closing in, Jamaica has taken the precautionary measure of shutting its two principal international gateways while ramping up emergency preparations for possible severe flooding and landslides.
Authorities announced that both Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay will remain closed on Saturday after the last flights landed or departed ahead of the storm’s arrival. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that Norman Manley would cease operations after its final incoming aircraft, and urged anyone planning to leave the island to adjust their travel plans immediately.
The hurricane, which has already caused fatalities and damage elsewhere in the Caribbean, was being monitored closely by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local emergency services. It strengthened to a Category 3 storm, packing sustained winds near 115 mph (185 kph) and moving slowly toward the region.
Jamaica’s emergency operations centre issued red alerts for nine of its 31 parishes, citing heightened risk of flash floods, swollen rivers, and landslides. Officials highlighted that rainfall totals of 15 to 30 inches (38 to 76 cm) are possible in southern Jamaica, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 40 inches. The NHC warned of “life-threatening and catastrophic” flooding and landslides.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Friday urged residents of flood-prone and landslide-prone zones to heed evacuation notices and move to safety without delay. Stocks of emergency supplies have been mobilised: over 650 shelters were activated across the island, and food packages and other relief materials pre-positioned in warehouses for rapid deployment.
Meanwhile, on the neighbouring island of Hispaniola, the storm was already exacting a human toll. In the Dominican Republic, a 79-year-old man was found dead after being swept away by a stream, and a 13-year-old boy was reported missing. The hurricane was then located about 130 miles southeast of Kingston and roughly 260 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, creeping forward at about 3 mph.
Melissa is the Atlantic hurricane season’s 13th named storm, which runs from early June through late November. Its advance toward Jamaica and Hispaniola comes just over a year after another major storm, Hurricane Beryl, hit the region in early July 2024.
With airports closed and emergency procedures underway, Jamaica enters a heightened state of alert. Residents are being advised not to wait for orders to evacuate — those in vulnerable areas are being encouraged to relocate to shelters now, prepare for significant rainfall and coastal storm surge, and stay tuned to official updates. The government emphasised that while wind damage is a concern, the greater threat may come from flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous regions.
As the situation develops, the island’s travel, tourism and supply-chain sectors are bracing for disruption. Airports remaining closed means flights have been cancelled or diverted, affecting both international arrivals and departures. The decision underscores the gravity of the incoming storm and the priority given to safety over normal operations.
For now, the key watch-points include the storm’s exact track and timing of landfall, rainfall distribution and resulting river and drainage behaviour. Emergency services are on standby, road crews ready to clear debris and mud-slides, and relief agencies pre-positioned to support affected communities. The storm’s slow movement means its destructive potential is amplified – giving more time for preparation, but also increasing the window for damage.
Jamaica’s swift actions reflect the lessons learned from past storms. By closing airports early, activating shelters and mobilising supplies, authorities hope to minimise loss of life and property. Still, the coming hours will be critical — as rainfall intensifies and coastal waters rise, the island must weather the full force of Melissa’s arrival.
