27 October 2025
Some Jamaicans refuse to evacuate due to Hurricane Melissa
Mandatory evacuations were issued for flood-prone areas in Jamaica, with buses transporting residents to safe shelters.
Government official Desmond McKenzie announced that storm shelters had been opened across the island and citizens were urged to heed evacuation warnings.
He warned, “This is a bet you can’t win. You can’t bet against Melissa.”
Nevertheless, some residents chose to remain in their homes.
“My only concern is flooding because we live close to the ocean,” said Hyacinth White, who said she has no plans to move to a shelter.
Officials expressed concern that fewer than 1,000 people were using the more than 880 shelters available across the country.
Jamaica’s Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said, “This is well below what is required for a Category 5 hurricane,” as he urged people to “be sensible… If you are not, unfortunately, you will have to suffer the consequences.”
“I hear what they’re saying, but I’m not going. I can take care of myself,” said Noel Francis, a 64-year-old fisherman from the southern town of Old Harbor Bay.
Meanwhile, several towns on Jamaica’s southern coast lost power overnight due to strong winds.