News

The cone from the United States' National Hurricane Centre contains the probable path of the centre of Hurricane Melissa at 4 p.m on October 25, 2025. It does not show the size of the storm. Hazardous conditions can occur outside of the cone.
December 9, 2025

Hurricane Melissa strengthens; nears category 2 status

The Meteorological Service says Hurricane Melissa continues to rapidly intensify with maximum sustained winds increased to near 150 kilometres per hour (90 mph), putting it close to being a category 2…
Jamaica's Met Service said expected rainfall amounts of 350 to 650 millimetres (15 to 25 inches) over parts of Jamaica in the next few days, making catastrophic flash floods and landslides likely.
December 9, 2025

'Seek shelter now' - Melissa intensifies into powerful Category 3 hurricane

Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a Category 3 system, becoming a major hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). IThe NHC says Melissa is expected to continue rapidly…
Flagaman Community Centre in St Elizabeth, which is expected to be used as a shelter for residents in preparation for Tropical Storm Melissa which is expected to hit Jamaica over the weekend.
December 9, 2025 by Albert Ferguson

‘We’re not ready’

WESTERN BUREAU: As dark clouds gather once again over Jamaica’s southern plains, a sense of dread hangs heavy over the farming community of Flagaman, in St Elizabeth, as many residents who barely…
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness addresses a special Jamaica House press briefing, looking at preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa, in St Andrew yesterday.
December 9, 2025

Holness declares ‘zero tolerance’ for price gouging

With Jamaicans continuing to shop for emergency items in preparation for Tropical Storm Melissa, which forecasters expect to develop into a hurricane and could sit over Jamaica for several days, Prime…
NOAA’s 7 p.m. update on October 25 for Tropical Storm Melissa.
December 9, 2025

Melissa watchers eye landfall Tuesday

Tropical Storm Melissa is now expected to make landfall in Jamaica next Tuesday as a major hurricane, with the system expected to bring heavy rains and flooding across the island. Speaking with The…
Micah Williams, tomato farmer from Flagaman in St Elizabeth, shows items used to shield him at his home during Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
December 9, 2025 by Adrian Frater

Toxic encounters

Western Bureau: Memories of last year’s devastating blow by Hurricane Beryl are still fresh, especially the major infrastructural damage, the multimillion-dollar hit on the farming section, and…
A section of a yard in Parottee, St Elizabeth, belonging to residents who have been still struggling to rebuild after last year’s onslaught from Hurricane Beryl.
December 9, 2025 by Albert Ferguson

Storm-weary St Bess faces Melissa still reeling from Beryl

WESTERN BUREAU: More than a year after Hurricane Beryl ravaged Jamaica’s southern corridor, the residents of St Elizabeth remain locked in a prolonged struggle for recovery. Now, with Tropical Storm…
Ian Hayles, the member of parliament for Westmoreland Western.
December 9, 2025 by Mickalia Kington

Anxiety abounds in Retreat, Red Ground, Red Road

WESTERN BUREAU: For residents of Retreat, Red Ground, and Red Road in Westmoreland Western , last week’s torrential downpours brought a familiar misery – flooded roads, stranded motorists, and yet…
Different styles, different fashion, but these two are a standout.
December 9, 2025

Food, fashion and fun galore at Kingston Creative Artwalk Festival

The theme for the September 28 Kingston Creative Artwalk Festival was ‘Food and Fashion’. And there was indeed a lot of food and ‘free’ beverages. The samples at the Colombian Embassy were to die for.…