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VI students in Jamaica evacuated to Cayman Islands

- as Jamaica braces for Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa
The life-threatening storm surge was expected along Jamaica's southern coast. Photo: Internet Source
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that students studying in Jamaica have been safely evacuated to the Cayman Islands ahead of the expected passage of Hurricane Melissa, which is projected to make landfall in Jamaica as a Category Five hurricane on Tuesday, October 27, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that students studying in Jamaica have been safely evacuated to the Cayman Islands ahead of the expected passage of Hurricane Melissa, which is projected to make landfall in Jamaica as a Category Five hurricane on Tuesday, October 27, 2025. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that students studying in Jamaica have been safely evacuated to the Cayman Islands ahead of the expected passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Melissa is projected to make landfall in Jamaica as a Category Five hurricane on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The evacuation was a collaborative effort between the Premier and the Government of the Cayman Islands.

Premier Wheatley expressed gratitude to the Cayman Islands government for facilitating the process. 

It is unclear how many students have been evacuated, and the Premier did not respond to our request for his comment.

In a message to Virgin Islanders, the Premier expressed concern for all those in the hurricane's path and stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with every family, community, and nation affected by this powerful storm."

VI 'ready to assist'

He called on Virgin Islanders to join him in praying for protection, strength, and swift recovery for our brothers and sisters across Jamaica. "Moments like these remind us that we are one regional family, bound by history, friendship, and shared resilience."

The Premier noted that the Government of the Virgin Islands has been closely monitoring the situation and assured residents that the government stands ready to assist in any way possible. 

"We have been in communication with our regional partners, and as recovery needs become clearer, the Virgin Islands will do its part to offer support," he stated.

22 Responses to “VI students in Jamaica evacuated to Cayman Islands ”

  • 2024 (27/10/2025, 17:08) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    the government of the virgin island @ work and a job well done for the people
  • bvibuzz (27/10/2025, 17:16) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    this is a very proactive moved VIP all the way
  • well saw (27/10/2025, 17:26) Like (24) Dislike (17) Reply
    So you are telling me that one of the worst storms is going to hit Jamaica and the Government evacuated youths to Cayman Islands!!! So after the storm vacates Jamaica the students are going to resume their education within a couple days???Why didn’t the Government bring the students home? When the Government does their crap all ayo are making comments saying ( WE ARE NOT FOOLS ) and no one is demanding common sense from the Politicians.Does this really make any sense?
    • Strupes (27/10/2025, 19:51) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
      They are a set of graduated fools
    • I don't understand (27/10/2025, 20:32) Like (34) Dislike (2) Reply
      They are out of harms way, any further arrangements can me be made after
      • Exactly (28/10/2025, 07:15) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
        Love him or hate him, he made sure the students were taken out of harms way. He made the right call.
      • @ I don't understand (28/10/2025, 09:44) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
        Agreed, they are out of harm's way and we are all grateful. However, isn't home (BVI) safe also at the moment? Where are they going after the hurricane and the damage is done? There will be no school and where are they moving back to interns of accommodation in Jamaica? To move them to Cayman is a waste of money, for both them and the BVI Tax payers. Accommodation, food, etc. ayo mek it mek sense messon. and you all here applauding the decisions the Premier and his team makes as if its the best. Common sense aint so common and it aint for sale. Dumb & dumber & dumbest, who leading us? Simple thing like this and can't manage to get it right?
        • u ah Axx (28/10/2025, 10:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          The students will continue theirs studies in the Cayman Islands.
    • @ well saw (28/10/2025, 10:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Y bring the home and they can continue the studies in the Cayman.
  • BuzzBvi (27/10/2025, 17:34) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Great to see pro active Hurircane response. Well done.
    I hope the VI is preparing a significant support package for Jamaica. Thay are going to need it.

    Glad to see my doppelganger is also behind this positive work from the VI Government.
  • Have Mercy Lord (27/10/2025, 18:21) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let us join in prayer for our fellow Caribbean sisters and brothers. May God bring them safely through the storm. This system is not to be taken for granted. It is a beast that is approaching Jamaica.
  • Favortism (27/10/2025, 19:50) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
    When the children needed assistance to go away to play a sport they were ignored
    I agree with the mother for speaking out
  • scat (27/10/2025, 20:21) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You with hearts full of concern for all who stand in the path of Hurricane Melissa. Lord, we ask for Your divine protection over every home, every family, and every community preparing for this storm. Calm anxious hearts and strengthen weary spirits.



    Father, guide the hands of those making preparations and give wisdom to the leaders and first responders who work tirelessly to keep others safe. Speak peace to the winds and stillness to the waves, for even the storms must obey Your voice.



    May Your presence be a shelter in the midst of the storm, and may hope rise stronger than fear. When the winds pass and the skies clear, let there be testimonies of Your grace and mercy.



    In Jesus’ name we pray,

    Amen.
  • Sam (27/10/2025, 20:26) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bring the students home. It’s the only option that makes sense.
  • Why Caymans. (28/10/2025, 03:21) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Send a charter Jet for them from JA straight to TB Lettsome
    Just $150 to 175 thousand for a charter. We have it....Its going to be 3-5 weeks before things get back to normal in JA. They should be home in the comfort of their homes
    • @ Why Caymans. Agree 100%. (28/10/2025, 10:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      We act small, we move small, we act third world, we move 3rd world. Little SK Fly their student from JA to St. Kitts, thats moving big, thats acting big...Thats showing power, strength and care..No wonder the world respect SK...
  • Look!!!!! (28/10/2025, 07:03) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Some of you people need to stop being so damn stupid, ignorant and slow. I am a critic of the Premier however, I think he made the right decision to evacuate the students out for their safety. That is a decision he had to make as leader of the Territory. Come on now, thank him for getting those students to safety. This place is filled with some of the most dumbest people.
    • Observer (28/10/2025, 08:25) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      As the leader of the territory commonsense would have dictated to bring the students home. From last Friday other territories vacated their students to their home, not an island next to the one where there is a category 5 hurricane where at any given moment the storm could have shifted as it did in recent days.
    • @Look!!! (28/10/2025, 08:42) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Perhaps you should read and comprehend what people are saying! No one is criticizing that the Students were evacuated for their safety. The issue is that the students should have been brought home. It's going to take a while for JA to get back on its feet in order for the students to return to the island and their classes. Sending them to Cayman is a short-term fix for God knows how long. I am glad they are out of harms way but proactive, long-term thinking would have dictated that the students return home. Disclaimer: none of them are my children and I don't know them.
      • @@Look!!! (28/10/2025, 09:38) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Where in my comment did I criticize the students. Perhaps you are the one that needs to read and comprehend you silly ignorant ISLAND MU MU. Have a good day ISLAND MU MU and go learn some damn simple common sense.
    • @ Look!!!! (28/10/2025, 09:46) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      And you seem to be one of the dumbest....est...est to agree with the Premier's decision. Take a seat and hush
  • STRANGELY (29/10/2025, 07:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE CALL DOWN OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM THE CARIBBEAN , SO WHAT ARE THEY GOING OR DOING IN " DEM ISLAND PEOPLE'S COUNTRY " ???? ❓️ SINCE WE ARE THE GREATEST , THAT SHOWS THIS XENOPHOBIC MENTALITY IN THE MINDS OF THOSE WHO KEEPS HOLLERING THIS RACIST NARRATIVES AT OUR AFRICIAN DECENDANTS ( YOU ISLAND PEOPLE - GO BACK WHERE YO COME FRON ) IS NOTHING BUT PURE HYPOCRISY & EVILNESS , THAT IS USED AS A WEAPON OTHER AFRICAN DECENDANTS BY AFRICAN DECENDANTS , ARE WE THAT HOLY ? THE REST OF THE WORLD BIS LISTENING AND WATCHING HOW WE EXPOSE OURSELVES , WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT " THOSE WHITE COLONIALIST SLAVE MASTERS DID TO OUR ANCESTORS / AND WE TURN AROUND AND IS DOING THE SAME THING TO OUR OWN AFRICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS , HYPOCRITES LOOK IN THE MIRROR , AND ASK THE LORD TO FORGIVE YOU ALL .


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