Staying Safe During Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa is forecast to be one of the biggest storms to hit Jamaica in recorded history. We’ve already seen flooding, landslides, and casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The storm has intensified rapidly from a category 1 hurricane to a category 5 storm over the weekend. The storm will bring deadly winds, rain, and storm surge which will endanger communities and cut them off from accessing emergency services.
In Jamaica, where more than 165,000 people are at risk, the Red Cross and other international aid organizations have begun activating, including pre-positioning vital supplies, preparing shelters, and strengthening community response capacity. Due to the large Jamaican diaspora in Connecticut’s First District, my office has prepared this page to share available resources and help residents stay connected with loved ones who may be impacted. If you need assistance, please contact my office at 860-278-8888.
Resources and notices from the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 160 miles per hour and higher gusts. Melissa is expected to bring 15 to 30 inches of rain to parts of Jamaica, with some areas receiving up to 40 inches. Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are likely.
Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport, Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport remain closed.
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica will be available for limited emergency services only October 27-31.
Emergency Updates
• Monitor NOAA, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, and the local news for updated advisories and storm forecasts.
• Shelter in place and contact your loved ones to let them know how you are doing.
• Monitor for updates from Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
Local Emergency Numbers:
Police: 119
Fire and Ambulance: 110
Hurricane updates: 116
Jamaica Red Cross: +1-876-984-7860
Assistance for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica
U.S. State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
U.S. citizens can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.