Minister Mckenzie Urges Jamaicans to Heed Warnings as Hurricane Melissa Nears
By: , October 26, 2025
Photo: Contributed
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond Mckenzie, looks at the forecast track for Hurricane Melissa during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Kingston on Saturday (Oct. 26).
Photo: Contributed
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond Mckenzie is being briefed about the progression of Hurricane Melissa by Manager of Weather Services, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Rohan Brown at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) located at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on Saturday, October 25.The Full Story
As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, citizens are being urged to take the threat seriously and follow all official instructions.
Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said that based on the projections, the weather system is moving slowly but definitely towards the island.
He said that citizens should adhere to all the instructions and information being shared by the Government.
“This is not the time for people to become complacent. I believe that we have been giving Jamaicans adequate notice,” he said, noting that daily press briefings are being held to share information with citizens.
“I can only urge Jamaicans to heed the warnings,” the Minister emphasised.
Minister McKenzie told JIS News that there are some communities where mandatory evacuation orders will be given.
“I’ve already written to the Most Hon. Prime Minister about that and those announcements will be made sometime [Sunday],” said Minister McKenzie.
He further reminded citizens that effective disaster response depends on everyone playing their part.
“The Government is ready to rise to the occasion to do what is necessary, but this is not a Government alone effort. The people have to buy into what is being told to them,” Minister Mckenzie emphasised.
“Many Jamaicans are praying and wondering what their future hold. A lot of us hold our destiny in our own hands, if we do what is correct,” he continued.
Minister Mckenzie also informed that all shelters have already been activated and three of them have started receiving persons.
Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 4 system.