The Philippine Embassy in Washington has issued a warning for Filipinos in Jamaica to make all necessary preparations and heed the advice of local officials, as Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, making it the strongest storm of the year.
In a social media post on Tuesday, October 28 (Monday in Washington), the embassy has reported that Hurricane Melissa is forecast to make landfall in Jamaica tonight or early Tuesday.
“Hurricane conditions are also expected in Cuba, Haiti, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands. According to the National Hurricane Center, catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely,” the post read.
The embassy also urged Filipinos to stay informed through official news and government updates and to secure important documents such as passports and IDs, emphasizing that the ‘safety of Filipino nationals is the Embassy’s priority.’
“Please stay informed by monitoring updates from local news and government agencies, and ensure that important documents such as passports and IDs are secured. We are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Jamaica and Filipino community leaders in the region,” it added.
According to reports, meteorologists said that Melissa’s slow movement will cause prolonged heavy rainfall in affected areas, increasing the risk of severe flooding and landslides.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “PH Embassy in US warns Filipinos in Jamaica of Hurricane Melissa.”
