Emergency Teams Activated as Jamaica Braces for Tropical Storm Melissa

Jamaica’s Emergency Management teams are on full alert in light of the impending passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, says Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda.

The teams are operating under the coordination of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Jamaica has been placed under a Tropical Storm Watch, indicating that tropical storm conditions pose a potential threat to the island.

In providing an update on the system’s development, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) said it continues to monitor the storm’s movement closely and will provide continuous updates as new data become available.

The storm developed over the Caribbean Sea and now poses a threat to several territories in the region, including Jamaica.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 21), Mr. Samuda indicated that the Met Service and ODPEM have been working in close collaboration to ensure seamless information sharing and coordinated preparedness activities.

He further noted that relevant ministries and agencies have been advised to activate their preparedness protocols in anticipation of potential impacts from Tropical Storm Melissa.

Mr. Samuda also advised that he is in close contact with Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, to ensure that Jamaica navigates the tropical storm threat effectively.

He noted that Minister McKenzie is currently overseas on personal business.

He informed the House that disaster coordinators are on alert to assist potentially vulnerable individuals in communities across the island. Additionally, he said the islandwide network of 881 shelters will be made available as the need arises.

The Minister further indicated that shelter managers are on alert and preparing designated spaces, while noting that the National Response Team was scheduled to convene at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday to assess the situation and determine the next steps.

This team is coordinated by ODPEM with support from a wide range of stakeholders, including the MET Service and Municipal Corporations.

Meanwhile, Minister Samuda advised that the National Works Agency (NWA) is actively assessing drainage infrastructure and will undertake emergency measures as guided by the current threat assessment.

“It is not lost on us that Melissa is the 13th named storm of the season but, notably, the first to form in the Caribbean Sea. This detail is significant. The extended period of calm in our region allowed sea temperatures to rise to record levels, creating what scientists now call ‘rocket fuel’ for storm intensification. This is yet another stark demonstration of the urgent climate reality confronting small island developing states like Jamaica, a reality that demands both local preparedness and continued advocacy for global climate action,” he said.

The Minister indicated that Jamaica is coordinating with its foreign partners while actively monitoring the storm using its fully operational Doppler Radar System.

“In the coming days, we will continue to prioritise public safety, accurate communication and coordination among all government and community partners,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda is urging citizens, particularly those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, to remain attentive to official advisories, avoid misinformation, and take all necessary precautions.

He also encourages individuals to monitor updates from the Met Service, ODPEM, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“There is no need for citizens to panic but there is the need to prepare and follow official sources of information,” the Minister maintained.

Mr. Samuda stated that the Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who also Chairs the National Disaster Risk Management Council, stands ready to respond to any eventuality.

“While we hope that Tropical Storm Melissa will spare our island significant impact, as it appears it may, we must prepare for the worst, even as we pray for the best,” he said.

Minister Samuda noted that while the storm centre’s projected path currently points towards Hispaniola, its proximity to Jamaica demands the highest level of vigilance.

“As we have learned through experience, tropical systems of this nature can shift course with little warning, and even indirect impacts can bring significant disruption to lives and livelihoods and property,” he said.

According to a Met Service advisory issued at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the centre of Tropical Storm Melissa was located approximately 495 kilometres (305 miles) south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, or about 535 kilometres (330 miles) southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica.

The bulletin advised that the system is moving west at approximately 24 kilometres per hour (15 miles per hour).

However, a decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn to the northwest and then north is expected over the coming days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour), with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is anticipated.

Minister Samuda stated that now that the area of low pressure has strengthened into a tropical storm, the system has slowed significantly.

The projected reduction in forward speed suggests that the storm is likely to linger in Caribbean waters over the coming days, resulting in a delayed approach to Jamaica’s shores.

“We are now expecting to start experiencing heavy rains sometime tomorrow night at current projections, but to note that the situation is indeed fluid,” Mr. Samuda said.

Current projections indicate that the system could intensify into a Category One hurricane by Saturday, driven by the unusually warm waters of the Caribbean.

Minister Samuda stated that while the forecast remains uncertain, meteorological models suggest that Jamaica could experience heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and possible flash flooding, particularly in eastern parishes as the storm tracks northward later this week.

“We are particularly mindful of the potential for landslides in our mountainous parishes, especially in areas where soil saturation is already high,” he said.