Weather Alert – U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas (October 26, 2025)

Location: The Turks and Caicos Islands and Southeast and Central Bahamas

Event: Category 4 Hurricane Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify tonight and move across the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeast Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday.  Melissa is expected to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall in Jamaica Monday night.  In a Special Weather Statement issued at 8:00 am today, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology warned residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Southeast and Central Bahamas to brace themselves for prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal inundation beginning Tuesday.  The National Hurricane Center warned today of an increasing risk of significant storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall by the middle of the week.

Actions to Take:

• Avoid travel to the areas forecast to be impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
• Consider departing the areas in the hurricane’s path now while flights are available and departure is still possible.
• If you choose to remain, be aware that flooding is likely in low-lying and flood-prone areas; avoid those areas or remain in a safe location until water recedes. 
• Ensure emergency supplies are on hand including potable water, non-perishable foods, and fuel.
• Monitor the local news, the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and Bahamas  Department of Meteorology website (https://met.gov.bs/ ) closely for weather updates.
• Follow The Bahamas DRM Facebook page for updates, including shelter locations:  https://www.facebook.com/drm.gov.bs/.

Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy Nassau, Bahamas
• Website: Homepage – U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas (usembassy.gov) 
• +1(242) 461-5025
• Email: ACSNassau@state.gov
• State Department – Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
• Bahamas Country Information [The Bahamas International Travel Information (state.gov) ]
• Turks and Caicos Islands Country Information [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/TurksandCaicosIslands.html]
• Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP) to receive security updates [step.state.gov]