Tropical Storm Melissa Set to Intensify into a Hurricane, Threatening Jamaica and Caribbean Islands
Tropical Storm Melissa is rapidly intensifying and is on track to become a major hurricane, posing severe threats to the northern Caribbean. Authorities advise of torrential downfall, life-hanging cataracts, and dangerous landslides.
The storm has formerly claimed lives. At least three people have failed in Haiti, while the Dominican Republic reports one casualty and one missing person.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center( NHC) predicts up to 35 inches of rain in southwest Haiti, with Jamaica and the corridor of the Dominican Republic facing as much as 25 inches by Monday. The storm’s slow, erratic movement is heightening the threat.
“If those rains were to occur, you’re talking about catastrophic flooding potential,” said Jamie Rhome, the NHC’s deputy director.
Melissa presently sits roughly 180 long hauls southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 245 long hauls southwest of Port- au- Prince, Haiti. The storm carries maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and moves northwest at just 3 mph.
A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are now in place for Jamaica and Haiti’s southwestern promontory.
The storm is expected to skirt or pass directly over Jamaica in beforehand coming week, potentially strengthening to an order 4 hurricane by Monday.
The impact may extend beyond Jamaica and Haiti. Foretellers anticipate Melissa could reach eastern Cuba by Wednesday, bringing up to 12 inches of rain, and the Bahamas Department of Meteorology warns of tropical storm or hurricane conditions in the Southeast and Central Bahamas, as well as the Turks and Caicos islets.
Jamaican officers are bracing for dislocation. further than 650 harbors have been activated, and field closures are possible within 24 hours if a hurricane warning is issued. Inventories, including thousands of food packages, are ready for rapid-fire distribution.
“I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take all measures to protect yourself.”
In the Dominican Republic, Melissa has damaged nearly 200 homes, disintegrated water systems for over 500,000 people, and caused landslides and downed trees, leaving several communities cut off.
Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from 1 June to 30 November.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had read an above-average season, prognosticating 13 to 18 named storms.
Authorities across the Caribbean continue to monitor the storm, prompting residents to prepare for extreme rainfall conditions and potential evacuation.
