Hurricane Melissa as seen from a satellite at 2:20 a.m. EDT on Oct. 28, 2025. Photo: NOAA/National Hurricane Center

(L-R) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas-Gaul, guest Mr Paul B. Dennis, KC, Jamaica's Honourary Consul to the Virgin Islands, and Co-host Elvin G. Grant. Photo: Facebook

Jamaica is currently experiencing the effects of the storm's outer bands with tropical-storm-force winds. Hurricane Melissa is currently a Category 5 hurricane, and hurricane conditions are expected to arrive in Jamaica later this morning, October 28, 2025. Weather forecasts say Melissa is expected to make landfall by early afternoon. 

Hurricane Melissa is the strongest storm this year with winds of 175 mph and stronger gusts. News reports also said three people have already died in Jamaica.

We would have to do what it takes

Speaking on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, October 27, 2025, Mr Dennis was asked if he would be in contact with the Jamaican government to feed credible information to those in the VI with loved ones in Jamaica, who may be unable to connect with them in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

“Absolutely. If it does come to that,” he answered. 

Mr Dennis, who was appointed to the role in May 2025, said he would expect the Jamaica High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago, his superintending mission, to provide him with the necessary resources. 

“And make them available so that to the extent that there is something they can do to facilitate that process and to assist me in assisting my compatriates here, then absolutely, we would have to do what it takes to facilitate that.”

He, however, said he hopes it does not come to that. 

35 years since last major hurricane in JA

Mr Dennis also said in Jamaica, there is a generation of adults who have never experienced the full impact of a hurricane. 

“The last direct impact from a hurricane in Jamaica was Hurricane Gilbert…and that was 1988, 37 years ago. Prior to that, the last hurricane which had a direct impact was [Hurricane Charlie]…incidentally and quite coincidentally, I should say that was also 37 years prior…1951, then 37 years later 1988 and here we are 37 years later in 2025 with Melissa,” he told co-host Damion C. Grange, Violet Thomas-Gaul and Elvin G. Grant. 

Hurricane Charlie in 1951 claimed the lives of over 150 people and displaced over ten thousand people. 

The Category 4 Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica on September 12, 1988, leaving approximately five hundred thousand people homeless and between 45 and 54 people dead.