The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) and the Caribbean region continue to closely monitor Hurricane Melissa as it strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm, bringing life-threatening winds, torrential rainfall, and potentially catastrophic flooding and landslides across Jamaica and parts of the wider Caribbean.
Forecasts indicate that Jamaica will receive a direct hit by Hurricane Melissa from Tuesday, 28 October, followed by landfall in eastern Cuba and potential impacts in the Bahamas later this week. Melissa’s intensification makes it one of the strongest hurricanes to threaten the Caribbean in recent decades.
Chairman of CARILEC’s Board of Directors Wayne M Caines said: “Even ahead of Melissa’s landfall, we have already seen reports of substantial flooding in several communities, a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate. As the Caribbean waits with bated breath, CARILEC is being proactive to ensure that we are ready to support our member utility, JPSCo, and the people of Jamaica. We also stand ready to support our members in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands who have been forecasted to be impacted by this hurricane.”
In this moment of uncertainty, regional solidarity and collaboration remain incredibly important, and CARILEC is committed to playing its part. In preparation for Hurricane Melissa, The CARILEC Secretariat has begun to mobilise resources and coordinate support from member electric utilities to assist Jamaica and other CARILEC member utilities, and electric utilities from across the region have confirmed their readiness to deploy restoration crews as may be required.
The CARILEC Secretariat is also in communication with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and other regional partners to coordinate transportation and logistical support for the post-disaster restoration effort, recognising that commercial travel may be disrupted following the storm’s passage.
Jamaica has faced and overcome many storms throughout its history, including Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. At this moment, what matters most is safeguarding lives and ensuring that families and communities remain protected as Hurricane Melissa approaches.
Caines stated: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, the Cayman Islands, and all those in the path of Hurricane Melissa. Our resilience and determination as Caribbean people will get us through this hurricane. Once the storm has passed, we will work together to restore and rebuild our infrastructure and communities, helping our respective nations, and the region as a whole, emerge even stronger than before.”
CARILEC
