Hurricane Melissa: British nationals in Jamaica told to register presence as ‘storm of century’ closes in
British citizens in Jamaica have been urged to report their presence to the Foreign Office as the island’s strongest storm on record approaches.
It comes after the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) set up a crisis center ready to help Britons on the Caribbean island. Meanwhile a Royal Navy ship HMS Trent It is already pending in the region.
While the government does not keep a record of the number of British nationals living abroad, there are thought to be around 5,000 on the island.
In an update on Tuesday afternoon, the FCDO said British citizens in the country should sign up to receive updates.
Hurricane Melissa will hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday, making it the strongest hurricane for the island since records began 174 years ago.
The FCDO said devastating floods and landslides were likely, with up to 700mm of rain, four-metre waves and winds gusting up to 135mph.
The Jamaican government has released a list of available hurricane shelters.
Speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Yvette Cooper said: “This is a very serious storm and many people will be worried about Jamaica and their friends and family in the region.
“We have set up a crisis center here at the Foreign Office to provide 24-hour consular assistance to British citizens, as well as to monitor Hurricane Melissa and ensure the UK is prepared to provide support to Jamaica.
“I have spoken to the Jamaican foreign minister to offer our support and solidarity to the Jamaican people facing the storm, and I encourage everyone to follow both the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisories and the Jamaican government instructions.”
All of Jamaica’s international airports are closed until further notice.
Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it approached Jamaica; this was the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds exceeding 157mph.
Three such hurricanes have formed in the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season; This is something not seen for 20 years.
Previous Category 5 hurricanes included Katrina in 2005, which killed 1,392 people and caused an estimated $125 billion worth of damage, especially around New Orleans.
An update on the Foreign Office website encourages British citizens to “prioritise their safety and follow the guidance of local authorities and our travel advice.”
“The UK is also preparing to provide humanitarian assistance to affected areas, focusing on meeting the urgent needs of the most vulnerable, and is positioning specialist rapid deployment teams in the region to support the efforts of British consular officials and provide consular assistance to British nationals,” it adds.
