Prime Minister Issues Evacuation Notices for Southeast Bahamas as Hurricane Melissa Approaches

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, following the advice of the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM), the government has decided to issue formal evacuation notices to residents in the islands of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay, Mayaguana and Ragged Island.

"The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has advised that Hurricane Melissa is forecast to begin affecting the Southeast Bahamas by early Tuesday morning with conditions deteriorating through Wednesday as the storm treks across the area," the Prime Minister said during a press conference to update the public on Hurricane Melissa held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, October 27, 2025.

He said the notice is being issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure that those most at risk can be safely relocated before conditions worsen.

The Prime Minister explained that the DRM advises that there is a high probability for severe flooding and storm surge in the Southeast Bahamas due to Hurricane Melissa, so failure to act diligently may endanger the health or safety of persons.

He said the orders in the notice take effect from October 27, 2025 and will expire on November 1, 2025 or on public notice by the Prime Minister upon the advice on the DRM.

There is also an alert for the Central and Southeast Bahamas to put them on notice that there is a possibility that a disaster is coming their way. Those islands are Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island and Long Cay, Exuma, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, the Ragged Island Chain, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

The Prime Minister advised the residents on those islands to contact their Family Island Administrators for further information and instruction, and to stay tuned to the official channels of the DRM for regular updates.

He added that the government will provide a comprehensive update later today at 6:30 p.m., when he will be joined by officials from the Disaster Risk Management Authority for a national press conference.

The Prime Minister said, "At that time, we will outline the specific steps being taken to safeguard lives and property, including transportation logistics, shelter readiness, and coordination across all government agencies."

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks at a Hurricane Melissa update press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, October 27, 2025. Pictured from left: Aarone Sargent, Managing Director, Disaster Risk Management Authority; the Hon. Leon Lundy, Minister of State with Responsibility for Disaster Risk Management; the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and Geoffrey Green, Deputy Director of the Department of Meteorology.

(BIS Photos/Mark Ford)