NASSAU, The Bahamas — Prime Minister Philip Davis announced today that the Government of The Bahamas has issued a formal evacuation notice for residents of Inagua, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and Ragged Island as Hurricane Melissa approaches the Southeast Bahamas.
According to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Hurricane Melissa is forecast to begin affecting the Southeast Bahamas by early Tuesday morning, with conditions expected to deteriorate through Wednesday as the storm tracks across the area.
Prime Minister Davis said the evacuation decision was taken following the advice of the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, noting that it was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of residents in the most vulnerable islands.
“This notice is being issued to ensure that those most at risk can be safely relocated before conditions worsen,” Prime Minister Davis stated.
Residents are advised to contact their local Family Island Administrator for details on evacuation schedules and transportation arrangements. The public is also urged to stay tuned to the official channels of the Disaster Risk Management Authority for regular updates.
Prime Minister Davis 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.
“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,” he said.
The Prime Minister encouraged Bahamians to remain vigilant, stay informed, and continue to look out for one another.