Hurricane Melissa has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, prompting authorities in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands to issue evacuation orders and close schools. The U.S. Embassy in Nassau released an alert on October 27, advising U.S. citizens in affected areas to consider leaving while flights are available or prepare to shelter in place.
A Hurricane Watch is now active for the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the Central and Southeast Bahamas, including Exuma and its Cays. According to the embassy, "The Government of The Bahamas today issued a formal evacuation notice for residents of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island as Hurricane Melissa approaches the Southeast Bahamas."
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has warned that tropical storm or hurricane conditions could begin impacting the southwestern islands of the Southeast Bahamas—including the Turks and Caicos Islands—starting Tuesday. Other parts of the Southeast and Central Bahamas may experience these conditions from Wednesday through Thursday. All schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands have been ordered closed until further notice.
The National Hurricane Center cautioned that "hurricane conditions, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall are possible on Wednesday in the Southeast Bahamas and Turks and Caicos," urging residents to complete preparations by Tuesday night.
U.S. citizens under evacuation orders in Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island are advised to contact their local Family Island Administrator for information about evacuation schedules and transportation. Those remaining should avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding or stay in safe locations until waters recede. Emergency supplies such as potable water, non-perishable foods, and fuel should be secured.
Travelers are encouraged to monitor updates from local news outlets as well as official sources like the National Hurricane Center (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) and Bahamas Department of Meteorology (https://met.gov.bs/). Updates can also be found on The Bahamas DRM Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/drm.gov.bs/) for information about shelter locations. Information specific to Turks & Caicos is available at https://gov.tc/pressoffice/.
For assistance, U.S. citizens can contact U.S. Embassy Nassau via phone at +1(242) 461-5025 or email ACSNassau@state.gov. Additional resources include State Department Consular Affairs lines at 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444; country-specific travel information for The Bahamas is available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bahamas.html; for Turks & Caicos at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/TurksandCaicosIslands.html.
Enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is recommended for security updates (step.state.gov). Updates from U.S. Embassy Nassau can also be followed on Facebook or Twitter.