Tropical Storm Melissa is dumping heavy rain on parts of Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, prompting closures and evacuations, as forecasters warn it could strengthen into a 'large and dangerous hurricane' by Friday, bringing catastrophic flooding risks.
Tropical Storm Melissa is currently causing significant concern across the northern Caribbean, particularly in Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, due to heavy rainfall and the high risk of severe flooding. Dominican President Luis Abinader has ordered schools and public offices closed, with hundreds already in shelters and critical water supply systems disrupted, affecting over half a million customers. Haiti is bracing for potentially devastating floods, a common outcome during past storms due to widespread erosion. Jamaica's Minister of Water and Environment, Matthew Samuda, announced 881 available shelters, with courts closing and schools transitioning to remote learning. AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva, warned of 'catastrophic' impacts including torrential rainfall, flash flooding, power outages, and washed-out roads. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported Melissa with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph), moving slowly west at 1 mph (2 kph). It was centered about 330 miles (530 kilometers) south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and 300 miles (480 kilometers) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Hurricane specialist Michael Lowry emphasized that flooding is historically the deadliest aspect of tropical systems in the region, and Melissa is expected to be no exception. The storm is forecast to continue its meandering path, gradually strengthening and potentially becoming a hurricane by Friday, with further intensification over the weekend. The Miami-based center warned it is 'increasingly likely that Melissa will become a large and dangerous hurricane.' A hurricane watch is in effect for southern Haiti, while Jamaica is under a tropical storm watch. Five to 10 inches (12 to 25 centimeters) of rain are predicted for eastern Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the southern Dominican Republic through Friday, with higher local amounts. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and the first to form in the Caribbean this year, aligning with NOAA's prediction for an above-normal season.
