Canadians warned as Hurricane Melissa triggers multiple travel advisories
Hurricane Melissa has prompted the Government of Canada to issue travel warnings for several popular destinations.
With Hurricane Melissa forecast to affect several Caribbean countries, the government is urging Canadians to exercise caution when travelling to the area or even to avoid travel altogether.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm, the most extreme level based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Category 5 hurricanes are life-threatening and could cause catastrophic damage to homes and infrastructure, making some areas uninhabitable for weeks or months.
“The decision to travel is your choice, and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad,” warns the Government of Canada’s travel advisory. “We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.”
Recently, the government issued a travel advisory for Jamaica due to the hurricane, and on Monday, Oct. 27, urged Canadians to avoid all travel to the country.
Here are the recently upgraded travel advisories in effect for other Caribbean destinations:
The Bahamas
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Advisory updated: Oct. 27
Canadians travelling to the Bahamas are urged to “exercise a high degree of caution” and to avoid any non-essential travel to the southeastern and central parts of the country.
According to the government, Hurricane Melissa is expected to hit the Bahamas on or around Oct. 29, bringing with it excessive rainfall and violent winds. The hurricane could trigger flash flooding and landslides that could, in turn, disrupt power distribution, telecommunications, access to water and food supply, as well as transportation and medical care.
Canadians who are already in the Bahamas are urged to be careful, monitor local news and weather reports. They’re also instructed to “follow the instructions of local authorities.”
Cuba
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Advisory updated: Oct. 25
Because of Hurricane Melissa, the government is asking Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution” if they’re travelling to Cuba. Also, travellers are urged to avoid travel to eastern provinces as the hurricane is expected to impact Cuba on or around Oct. 29.
Hurricane Melissa could bring heavy rain and strong winds that could lead to flooding and landslides, severely disrupting essential services like power distribution, transportation, and access to emergency services.
Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local news and weather reports.
Turks and Caicos Islands
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Advisory updated: Oct. 27
Canada has raised its travel risk level for the Turks and Caicos Islands due to Hurricane Melissa, urging travellers to “avoid non-essential travel.”
Canadians in the country should “exercise caution” and stay on top of the latest local news and weather reports. If you’re travelling to the country, reconsider travel plans as the storm is likely to bring “excessive rainfall and violent winds” that could result in landslides or flash flooding that could disrupt power, transportation, and access to essential services.