No Pinoys hurt so far as Hurricane Melissa tears through Caribbean
People walk along a road during the passing of Hurricane Melissa in Rocky Point, Jamaica, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday, Oct. 29, that there are no reports yet of Filipino casualties in Jamaica after it was battered by Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm.
“As of 29 October 2025, 5:00 a.m. Philippine time, no casualties or injuries among Filipino nationals have been reported,” the DFA said.
It is now working with the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Kingston, Jamaica to actively monitor the impact of the hurricane and checking on the condition of some 500 Filipinos in the Caribbean country.
Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, which has jurisdiction over Philippine affairs in the Caribbean, advised Filipinos there “to undertake all necessary preparations and heed the warnings of local officials as it strengthens into a Category 5 hurricane.”
“The safety of Filipino nationals is the Embassy’s priority. Please stay informed by monitoring updates from local news and government agencies, and ensure that important documents such as passports and IDs are secured,” the embassy said in a separate statement.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Jamaica and Filipino community leaders in the region,” it added.
Hurricane Melissa left Jamaica flooded and devastated as it moved toward Cuba, Haiti, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Citing reports from the National Hurricane Center, the embassy said that catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides were likely.
For consular assistance, Filipinos may contact the embassy at +1 202-368-2767 or +1 202-769-8049.