Anglican leaders have warned Jamaican parishioners to heed warnings from authorities as Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm in the nation’s recorded history, makes landfall.
The Category 5 hurricane, with the highest rating, has been hitting the island and nearby areas of the Caribbean early this morning, Oct. 28.
At a speed of two miles per hour, the hurricane is likely to prolong destruction with powerful 175 mph (280km/h) winds and up to 30 inches of rainfall today. Flash flooding risks poses a threat to life with catastrophic consequences alongside landslides. Evacuations have been ordered for likely flood areas and communities vulnerable to the storm.
"There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5," warned Prime Minister Andrew Holness, urging citizens to take shelter and be aware of the danger. Seven people have already died in the Caribbean including three in Jamaica, as a result of the hurricane
As a press briefing on Saturday (Oct. 25), Holness urged Jamaicans to take the weather threat seriously.
“You have nothing to lose even if it doesn’t come. If it doesn’t come and you’re prepared, fine, you have lost nothing. The greater loss is that if you didn’t prepare and it came, and by now we should have internalised and made it a culture that once it is declared that there is a weather threat, take precautions. Never take it lightly."
He also asked “all Jamaicans of faith to pray.”
“We saw Hurricane Matthew, which was almost on a similar trajectory and that just made a u-turn between Jamaica and Haiti. Even though this is now southeast of Jamaica, it may very well pass Jamaica and go elsewhere so still have faith and keep praying.
Holness recalled how a young boy died during Hurricane Beryl in June/July last year (2024) when chasing a football. He fell into a flooded gully from the storm and washed away.
"I urge all Jamaicans to protect themselves, pleaded Holness. "There’s no need to be playing football, no need to be climbing any trees. You have been given enough notice that this weather event is coming and that it could be disastrous so it take all measures to protect yourself."
The prime minister warned people not to receive information from non-authoritative sources during this time.
"And finally, every citizen has a duty to protect their life, obviously, but their property, you can’t just wait on the government to come and do it. Every citizen has that duty. As far as you can, you should protect your property."
Meanwhile, Rt Rev. Garth Minott, Suffragan Bishop of Kingston and Canonical Administrator, issued a “Bishop’s Message about Tropical Storm Melissa” to the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
“Our tradition, rooted in Christ who calmed a storm while his disciples panicked (Mark 4:35-41) is rich with assurances to trust in God who is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46),” wrote Minott.
“We pray and hope for the best outcome in the passage of the storm, anticipated to become a major hurricane, even as we encourage our clergy and laity to read the various bulletins and listen to the messages releases and the press conferences hosted by the authorities.”
Minott added that he and Bishop Leon were praying for the safety of church members and Jamaicans generally.
The Right Revd Leon Golding serves as the Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay in the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands.
Minott also referred to a Diocescan Disaster Preparedness Plan for church leaders and members in regards matters such as the safety of church buildings in the wake of the storm.
“We urge everyone to make good use of the information provided, “added Minnott, urging them to “stay safe.”
“Once again, our prayers and best wishes as together we live in faith, hope and love, trusting our God to lead us through these challenging times.”
