ALERT #22 ON HURRICANE MELISSA
Issued by The Bahamas Department of Meteorology at 9 AM EDT, Wednesday, October 29th, 2025.
…MELISSA CONTINUES TO MOVE OVER EASTERN CUBA AND WILL SOON EMERGE INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS, BRINGING DAMAGING WINDS FLOODING RAINS AND DANGEROUS STORM SURGE TO CUBA AND THE BAHAMAS TODAY…
…TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE CONDITIONS BEGINNING TO IMPACT THE ISLANDS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS, AND TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS LATER TODAY…
…THE ISLANDS SET TO RECEIVE THE STRONGEST IMPACT ARE: RAGGED ISLAND, LONG ISLAND, ACKLINS, CROOKED ISLAND, LONG CAY, SAMANA CAY, RUM CAY, SAN SALVADOR, AND THE MAINLAND OF EXUMA…
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the Central and Southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its Cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.
A Hurricane Warning means that Hurricane conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.
At 8 AM EDT, the eye of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 20.6 degrees north and longitude 75.7 degrees west, or about 45 miles West of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 90 miles South-Southwest of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 155 miles Southwest of Salina Point, Acklins, 129 miles West-Southwest of Matthew Town, Inagua, 214 miles West-Southwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 179 miles Southwest of Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, and 278 miles South of New Providence.
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the North-northeast near 14 miles per hour. A faster northeastward motion is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move offshore Eastern Cuba this morning, move across the Southeast or Central Bahamas later today and away from The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday morning.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 105 miles per hour with higher gusts.
Hurricane Melissa is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across The Bahamas later today.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.
Residents in the Central and Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are now experiencing heavy rainfall with thunderstorms associated with Melissa. These conditions will continue throughout today and into tonight. There is also the possibility that isolated tornadic activity will also occur.
Residents in the Ragged Island, Inagua and Acklins are now beginning to experience Tropical Storm force winds. These conditions will spread into Crooked Island, Long Cay, Long Island and Rum Cay during this morning, and into San Salvador, Southern Exuma, South Cat Island and the Turks and Caicos Islands during this afternoon. Hurricane force winds could be experienced in Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador this afternoon. Residents should remain indoors until the Tropical Storm and Hurricane force winds subside tonight and tomorrow morning.
Potential Impacts:
Hurricane Melissa, will bring extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions to the islands in the Central and Southeast Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands today and tonight. The islands expected to experience the strongest impact are Ragged Island, Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, Samana Cay, Rum Cay and San Salvador. However, the extent of the impact depends on Melissa’s strength as it moves through the Central and Southeast Bahamas.
Rainfall Amount:
A total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches is expected over the Southeast Bahamas through Wednesday, resulting in severe flooding in the islands. Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches
Storm Surge:
A storm surge of 5 to 8 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas, and 2 to 4 feet in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.
The next Alert on Hurricane Melissa will be issued at 12 PM.
Issued by: Anastashia Fernander
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TODAY.
RTC News has received the latest update from the Met Office & the Disaster Management Team that everyone should continue sheltering in place and avoid all unnecessary travel. Although conditions outside may seem calm right now, please remember that we are still under a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical storm conditions, including extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions are still expected later this morning.
The warning continues that no one should venture outside until officials have give the all-clear, as conditions can change suddenly and become dangerous.
At 5 am this morning, the Centre of Hurricane Melissa was located 260 miles Southwest of Providenciales. Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the Northeast near 12 miles per hour.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 3 hurricane.
Remember to follow official government pages for valid information and instructions, listen to Radio Turks & Caicos on 89.1fm and or follow us on the Radio Turks & Caicos app. Remember to also download the DDME app for alerts and additional information.
Your safety is our priority.
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TODAY.
RTC News has received the latest update from the Met Office & the Disaster Management Team that everyone should continue sheltering in place and avoid all unnecessary travel. Although conditions outside may seem calm right now, please remember that we are still under a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical storm conditions, including extended periods of violent winds, heavy rain, and widespread inland and coastal flooding, along with hazardous sea conditions are still expected later this morning.
The warning continues that no one should venture outside until officials have give the all-clear, as conditions can change suddenly and become dangerous.
At 5 am this morning, the Centre of Hurricane Melissa was located 260 miles Southwest of Providenciales. Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the Northeast near 12 miles per hour.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane Melissa is a Category 3 hurricane.
Remember to follow official government pages for valid information and instructions, listen to Radio Turks & Caicos on 89.1fm and or follow us on the Radio Turks & Caicos app. Remember to also download the DDME app for alerts and additional information.
Your safety is our priority.
Hurricane Melissa a Category 3
Hurricane Melissa is now moving toward eastern Cuba. Conditions from Hurricane Melissa expected to deteriorate rapidly over the next several hours. Feeder bands of hurricane Melissa presently impacting the southeast and central Bahamas.
A Tropical Storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands
A Tropical Storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours
Tropical storm conditions expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands Wednesday morning
A hurricane warning is now in effect for the central and southeast Bahamas. This includes Exuma and its cays, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Cat Island, Acklins, Crooked island, Long cay, Mayaguana, and Inagua.
At 8 pm edt, the eye of hurricane melissa was located near latitude 18.8 degrees north and longitude 77.2 degrees west, 380 miles south southwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Hurricane melissa is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 miles per hour. A turn toward the northeast is expected later this evening, and a faster motion in that direction is expected on Wednesday and Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of melissa is expected to move over eastern Cuba later tonight and early Wednesday morning, and move across the southeast or central Bahamas later on Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 125 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane melissa is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir Simpson hurricane wind scale. Melissa is expected to remain a powerful hurricane when it moves across Cuba and the Bahamas.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
Residents in The Turks and Caicos Islands should continue to shelter in place, until the “ALL CLEAR” is given.
Rainfall amount:
Expected rainfall totals for the Turks and Caicos Islands are approximately 1 to 3 inches
Storm surge:
A storm surge of 2 to 4 feet is expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch in effect for TCI
A Tropical Storm Warning means that Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the mentioned islands within 36 hours
A Hurricane Watch means that Hurricane conditions could be experienced within the mentioned islands within 48 hours.
Residents should rush to complete Hurricane preparations by tonight. Tropical Storm or Hurricane conditions expected tonight/early Wednesday morning through Thursday.
At 5 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 17.2 degrees north and longitude 78.3 degrees west 500 miles Southwest of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Hurricane Melissa is moving toward the North-Northeast near 5 miles per hour. A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a faster northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 175 miles per hour with higher gusts. Melissa is a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely before Melissa makes landfall on Jamaica later today. However, Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica and southeastern Cuba as an extremely dangerous major hurricane and it will still be at hurricane strength when it moves across the Southeast Bahamas.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 miles.
Storm surge of 4 to 6 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday.
Tropical Weather Advisory #2Issued by the Turks and Caicos Islands National Weather Service
0900 AM EDT Monday 27 October 2025
…HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…
…NOAA AND AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTERS INVESTIGATIONS CATEGORY 5 MELISSA…
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands within the next 48 hours.
Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands should prepare for the possibility of Hurricane and/or Tropical Storm conditions beginning late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.
Hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall are possible on Wednesday. Residents should follow the advice of local officials and be sure to have preparations complete by Tuesday night.
Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across the westernmost islands and 1 to 2 inches across the easternmost islands Tuesday into Wednesday. Heavy rains can produce localized flooding of roads, properties, and communities.
Swells generated by Melissa is expected to produce high seas, dangerous surf and rip currents along the southern and western coastlines.
NEXT UPDATE AT 6PM EDT
Department of Education Issues School Closure and Hurricane Preparedness Advisory
The Department of Education advises the public that all schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, will close from Monday, 27 October 2025 until further notice in preparation for the possible impact of Hurricane Melissa, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and possible flooding as early as Tuesday evening, 28 October 2025.
This proactive closure will allow schools designated as emergency shelters to be fully prepared and secured ahead of the expected weather impact.
All principals and staff of public schools must report to their respective schools on Monday, 27 October 2025 to assist with:
- Securing school property and resources
- Organising preliminary cleaning efforts with school cleaners in areas to be used as shelters
- Setting up shelter spaces safely in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME).
Parents and guardians residing in low-lying, flood-prone areas are strongly encouraged to take necessary steps to secure life and property and to use designated shelters for safety.
A list of designated shelter locations is available through the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies: www.gov.tc/ddme
Hurricane Watch is in effect for Turks & Caicos
A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for The Turks and Caicos Islands.
At 5:00 AM EDT on October 27, 2025, the Government of the Bahamas issued a Hurricane Watch for the central and southeastern Bahamas, as well as for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hurricane conditions are possible within the alert area within the next 48 hours.
Hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall are possible on Wednesday. Residents should follow the advice of local officials and be sure to have preparations complete by Tuesday night.
Read full CAP Alert:
English: https://cap-sources.s3.amazonaws.com/tc-gov-en/2025-10-27-10-42-49.xml
Spanish: https://cap-sources.s3.amazonaws.com/tc-gov-es/2025-10-27-10-51-42.xml
Haitian Creole: https://cap-sources.s3.amazonaws.com/tc-gov-ht/2025-10-27-10-46-58.xml
Hurricane Alert is now in effect for the Turks & Caicos
TROPICAL WEATHER ADVISORY #1: 0600 PM EDT SUNDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2025
ISSUED BY THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
…HURRICANE MELISSA RESUMES INTENSIFYING…
…HURRICANE ALERT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS…
A Hurricane Alert means that hurricane conditions are possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands within the next 60 hours.
Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands should prepare for the possibility of Hurricane and/or Tropical Storm conditions beginning late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.
There is an increasing risk of significant storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday.
Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across the westernmost islands (West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos) and 1 to 2 inches across remaining islands Tuesday into Wednesday. Heavy rains can produce localized flooding of roads, properties, and communities.
Swells generated by Melissa is expected to produce high seas, dangerous surf and rip currents along the southern and western coastlines.
NEXT UPDATE AT 0900 AM EDT