Tropical Storm Melissa is advancing slowly through the central Caribbean Sea, presenting a grave and potentially devastating risk of flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica and southwestern Haiti. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has released its initial assessment, indicating that Melissa is expected to intensify in the coming days, potentially evolving into a hurricane by October 24. Forecasters predict significant strengthening over the weekend, with the storm possibly reaching Category 4 or even Category 5 status by early next week, fueled by unusually warm Caribbean waters. Hurricane conditions are anticipated for Haiti today, while Jamaica may experience tropical storm conditions by late Thursday or early Friday. Both regions are currently under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning. Eastern Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the southern Dominican Republic are projected to receive five to ten inches of rain through Saturday, with some areas potentially seeing up to 14 inches. CDEMA and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) caution that the prolonged heavy rainfall could trigger severe flash flooding and landslides, particularly in Haiti’s mountainous areas where the soil is already saturated. Tragically, the storm has already claimed at least one life—an elderly man in Haiti. Authorities and CDEMA are urging residents in the affected areas to complete emergency preparations without delay.
Tropical Storm Melissa to become a major hurricane as it nears Jamaica, Haiti
