National Address on Category 5 Hurricane Melissa
National Address
By
Dr the Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Jamaica
At the
Special Update: Hurricane Melissa is now Category 5
On
October 26, 2025
______________________________________________________
My fellow Jamaicans, Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 hurricane, approximately a hundred miles south of Kingston, heading westward at five miles per hour. It is projected to turn northward. We are already experiencing rain and overcast conditions. Based on current assessment, all of Jamaica will likely be affected by hurricane conditions, meaning heavy rains and winds above a hundred miles per hour. It is also likely that hurricane conditions could linger over Jamaica due to the slow-moving nature of this system.
Given the extended days of rain leading up to landfall and the expected inundation from the actual passage, we can expect general flash flooding across the island. However, low-lying areas, coastal areas, river courses, gullies, and other waterways will overflow either from excess rain or storm surges. Extended rainfall and heavy rain flows will also trigger landslides in hilly areas. Buildings and activities in or along those waterways or hillsides will be at high risk of damage, complete displacement, and loss of life. Hurricane winds will most certainly damage roofs and compromise some structures.
By all assessments of the current situation, while we pray for the best, hour by hour, it is becoming apparent that the impact of Hurricane Melissa could be greater than Hurricane Beryl. Certainly, in terms of rainfall and flooding, we can lessen damage and speed up recovery by taking preparatory and precautionary measures before the impact of the hurricane. It is expected that Hurricane Melissa will make landfall on Tuesday.
I take this opportunity to reinforce the appeal to residents of low-lying areas, historically flood-prone areas, gully banks, river banks, hillsides, and other vulnerable areas to take precautions to protect your property. Where possible, prepare your evacuation plan and comply with the evacuation orders given, avoid unnecessary risks such as playing in flood waters and waterways, climbing trees and roofs during the hurricane, shelter in place, and stay inside during the hurricane.
We have issued an order under the Disaster Risk Management Act, declaring the entire island of Jamaica a threatened area. This provides us with the legal framework to take all necessary measures to safeguard lives and property during the hurricane. All our national agencies, ODPEM, the JDF, the JCF, the NWA, and our first responders are on high alert. Shelters have been prepared, supplies prepositioned, and emergency teams are standing by across the island. At the time of impact, the government will declare a disaster under the DRMA, along with the various other measures necessary from time to time to take us safely through the periods of disaster relief and recovery.
Today, I signed a compulsory Evacuation Order for several communities along the south coast, which will empower ODPEM to act as necessary to have persons evacuated from high-risk areas to save lives. We have also issued an order under the Trade Act to prevent price gouging. No one should seek to profit from the hardship of a disaster. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be issuing a recommended price list for all market produce.
We have intensified our drain cleaning and mitigation programmes across the island, targeting critical areas that are most vulnerable to flooding. Over 400 million Jamaican dollars have so far been allocated for drain cleaning and waterway cleanup, including at least $3 million to each constituency to carry out emergency drain cleaning and local preparedness.
In addition to preparing the country for the impact of the hurricane, we are also taking steps to position ourselves for the recovery following the impact. The security forces will ensure there is no break in public order during and after the hurricane. We will take all steps under the law to protect life and property from looting and other antisocial behaviour. We urge all citizens to maintain the peace, observe the laws and various orders that may be issued, and act wisely in limiting movement and gatherings to what is necessary.
Your government has built out a comprehensive multi-layer disaster risk financing framework to ensure that we can respond quickly and effectively. We have the National Natural Disaster Risk Fund and the Contingency Fund, which we will use to start the relief and recovery process. Beyond these, there are additional layers of insurance protection that are triggered once specific impact thresholds are met, along with contingent credit facilities.
The NWA, JDF, NSWMA, local governments and our utilities are all prepared to reopen roads, restore access, and reinstate service to ensure a quick recovery. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, supported by the JDF, is fully prepared to lead the humanitarian relief effort and the data gathering for damage assessment. Please play your part in having your identification and other documentation ready if you have to apply or register for relief.
The Ministry of Agriculture is ready to offer support to our farmers and fishers to ensure that they are back out in the field as soon as possible. The Ministry of Health is making plans for major mosquito and other vector control initiatives immediately after the hurricane to avoid outbreaks of diseases, especially dengue.
I want to take this moment to recognise our frontline workers, our healthcare professionals, police officers, soldiers, firefighters, utility crews, and all essential personnel who will be out there risking their lives to protect ours and to serve us. With proper preparation, discipline, and care for one another, we will come through this safely, as we have done so many times before, and let us remember, it is in times like these that Jamaica’s true character shines through. Reach out to your neighbour. Check on the elderly. Check on persons with disabilities and anyone who may need help. That is who we are, a people who live by the principle, each one, help one.
While we must prepare for the worst, let us also pray for the best. In every adversity, we have found strength, not only in our resilience, but in the power of prayer, so wherever you are, I encourage you to gather your family and pray for protection, for calm and for each other, trusting that God who has seen Jamaica through every storm will carry us safely through this one too.
My Jamaican family, we will weather this storm, and when the sky is clear, we will come together to restore and build stronger, prouder and more resilient than before. Keep safe, everyone. May God bless you, protect your families and keep safe our beloved Jamaica, land we love.