McKenzie to recommend mandatory evacuations for vulnerable communities ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa
Published:Saturday | October 25, 2025 | 12:18 PM
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says he will write to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness with a recommendation for the mandatory evacuation of vulnerable communities ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa.
McKenzie, who was speaking at a special press briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday morning, said provisions in the Disaster Risk Management Act allow for “compulsory evacuation”.
He said it is advisable that persons do not remain in these communities, singling out Rocky Point in Clarendon, Taylor Land in Bull Bay, Port Royal, and New Haven and Riverton City in St Andrew, among others.
“I will therefore be writing to the prime minister based on the recommendations of the acting director general of ODPEM (Office of Disaster Risk Management) that we take those steps to advise those communities of the intent to declare this order,” he said.
“But I want to make an appeal to persons who are living in these communities. Port Royal is one such community that is of concern… It is in your interest that this is done,” said McKenzie.
He warned that it will be “impossible” to deploy first responders to these vulnerable communities during the system because persons refused to evacuate before.
“I want to urge Jamaicans, do not take this for granted,” he cautioned.
He said already, the residents of three infirmaries in St Ann and Trelawny have been relocated to safe grounds, while the homeless population is being removed from the streets to shelters across the country.
On Friday, the Government has declared all of Jamaica a threatened area under the Disaster Risk Management Act, giving authorities the legal power to implement protective measures and safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
-Kimone Francis
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