Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Here's how current forecasts predict Hurricane Melissa will affect the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is a developing story.
Storm Updates
Airports Are Now Closed
October 29, 2025 — 11:30 AM EST — All Turks and Caicos airports have closed due to Hurricane Melissa.
A small craft advisory will be in place from 12:00 PM today until 12:00 PM Thursday, citing the risk of dangerous surf, life-threatening rip currents, and wave heights between 6 and 10 feet (2 to 3 m).
Storm Conditions Will Arrive This Afternoon
October 29, 2025 — 8:00 AM EST — Violent winds, heavy rain, and hazardous sea conditions starting this afternoon through Thursday are anticipated if Hurricane Melissa continues its current course.
Surf swells are beginning to reach the islands.
Forecasts for storm surge risk remain at 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) above normally dry ground, and expected rainfall is 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm). Hurricane Melissa will bring coastal (and potentially inland) flooding to the islands.
The storm is less than 260 miles (418 km) southwest of Providenciales. People in the islands are urged to shelter in place until the Government gives the all-clear.
Hurricane Melissa Weakens Slightly, Still Extremely Dangerous
October 28, 2025 — 8:00 PM EST — Hurricane Melissa has weakened somewhat, to sustained winds of 125 MPH (205 km/h), and is moving north-northeast at 8 MPH (13 km/h).
Updated rainfall estimates for the Turks and Caicos from the NHC are 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm).
Carnival Cruises has re-routed some ships intended to berth at Grand Turk and other storm-affected destinations, instead routing them to destinations in Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and Nassau.
American Airlines is sending relief supplies to the Providenciales International Airport on their evacuation flights.
Hurricane Watch Discontinued, Tropical Storm Warning Remains
October 28, 2025 — 1:00 PM EST — The Hurricane Watch for the Turks and Caicos Islands has been discontinued, though a Tropical Storm Warning for the country remains in effect. Residents should expect tropical storm conditions and possible hurricane conditions starting late Wednesday morning or early afternoon.
The Government has issued a shelter-in-place advisory beginning at 10:00 PM this evening.
“We now have less than 10 hours to prepare,” Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “We have put in place all that we can, and will continue to ensure full support remains available, but we are only as strong as the preparations made by our residents.”
Two to four inches (5 to 10 cm) of rainfall are expected across West Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos. Grand Turk, Salt Cay, Ambergris Cay, and South Caicos can expect 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) of rainfall.
Storm surge risk has decreased slightly to between 2 and 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 m) above dry ground, according to the NHC, and will be worst along the country's western and southern coastlines.
The Government is urging residents in the following low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate to designated shelters:
- Providenciales: Chalk Sound, Five Cays, Discovery Bay, Juba Sound, and Long Bay
- North Caicos: Coastal parts of Sandy Point, Whitby, and Bottle Creek
- Middle Caicos: Coastal parts of Conch Bar
- South Caicos: Coastal parts of Cockburn Harbour and Old Airport Road
Shelters across the country will open to the public from 4:00 PM today.
Hurricane Melissa is currently 458 miles (737 km) southwest of Providenciales. It remains a Category 5 storm at this time, with maximum sustained winds of 185 MPH (295 km/h), and is moving north-northeast at a pace of 9 MPH (15 km/h).
Utilities on Providenciales and the Ports of Authority have closed their offices. Airports remain open.
Rains Could Begin Later Today
October 28—8:00 AM EST — While tropical storm and hurricane conditions are expected to arrive in the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday, rains are likely to develop in the islands later today.
Rainfall could be more significant than previously predicted (5 to 10 inches, or 13 to 25 centimeters in areas of flash flooding) for the Turks and Caicos.
Hurricane Melissa appears to be strengthening. Maximum sustained winds have reached 180 MPH (290 km/h).
Airports remain open at this time. Flights with American Airlines, Delta, United, Jet Blue, and Air Canada are scheduled to depart Providenciales later today. Both JetBlue and American Airlines have sent down planes to evacuate tourists.
Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Expected
October 27—8:00 PM EST — Hurricane Melissa is currently 530 miles (853 km) south-southwest of Providenciales, moving at 3 MPH. Maximum sustained winds are 175 MPH.
The NHC states that tropical storm conditions are expected in the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday with hurricane conditions also possible on Wednesday. The NHC further advises that storm surges of 4-6 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the Turks and Caicos on Wednesday.
The Turks and Caicos Islands National Weather Service advises that 2–4 inches of rainfall is expected in West Caicos, Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, with 1–2 inches in the eastern islands (Grand Turk and Salt Cay) from Tuesday into Wednesday.
This evening, the Government has also reminded local businesses that price gouging is illegal, and persons and businesses found to be charging "exorbitant prices for necessities" face a $5,000 fine.
Significant Storm Surge Anticipated on Southern Coastlines
October 27—12:00 PM EST — Hurricane Melissa is currently 535 miles (861 km) south-southwest of the island of Providenciales. Hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds for Hurricane Melissa have increased to 165 miles per hour (266 km/h). There have been no significant changes to the storm’s path.
Life-threatening storm surge is currently a possibility for the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly for its south coasts.
"With the storm having this trajectory, we’re very much concerned about the southern coastlines," said Dr. Holly Hamilton of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Weather Service in a Monday press conference. "On the southern coastlines of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and even some areas of Providenciales, specifically Chalk Sound, the Five Cays area, and some areas in Long Bay, persons should really be concerned and heed to any advice or evacuation orders given by officials.”
Hurricane Watch in Effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands
October 27—9:00 AM EST — The Turks and Caicos Islands is currently under a Hurricane Watch for Hurricane Melissa. Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are expected for the Turks and Caicos Islands beginning late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning, according to current forecasts and the Turks and Caicos Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME).
At present, Hurricane Melissa is a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour (257 km/h). The storm will pass closest to the islands of West Caicos and Providenciales, though storm impacts are still expected to be felt on all islands (including Pine Cay, Parrot Cay, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Ambergris Cay, Grand Turk, and Salt Cay).
Residents and visitors should prepare for heavy rainfall and flooding, storm surge, and hurricane-force winds.
In a Sunday briefing, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government announced that swells from 6 to 20 feet (2 to 6 m) can be expected.
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