Eighty Bahamian nationals were evacuated from Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa strengthened in the central Caribbean, with forecasters warning of a potential rapid strengthening into a Category 5 hurricane.
According to Alveta Knight, Consul General for The Bahamas in Jamaica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated an evacuation flight from Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, carrying Bahamian students and other nationals.
Some students, however, have chosen to remain in Jamaica and ride out the storm.
the system could rapidly strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane
Author's summary: Bahamians evacuated from Jamaica due to Tropical Storm Melissa.